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zoemmor's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
The ending was satisfying. A few parts in the middle were less than.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
biareads100's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
His obsession was so well written, but if you don't understand him it might irk you off. The plot was boring but the characters were likeable enough to read just for them. The book is incredibly well written with a lot of gorgeous and relatable quotes. It has this cohesive way of presenting a relationship from the early stages till the end and after the end as well as the cocktail of emotions people from LGBTQ+ community face when finding themselves
An amazing summer read the vibes of rural Italy are unmatched. There are some weird and vile scenes but overall a good book.
An amazing summer read the vibes of rural Italy are unmatched. There are some weird and vile scenes but overall a good book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Pedophilia
cadyreads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
lillyturmel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
in a way, this book is a very well written diary. this is very different than the YA romance i usually read, but it was beautiful and extremely well written
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
there is no rape or sexual assault that happens in the book, but there are slight descriptions when talking about sex and some references that could make victims uncomfortable.kaadee's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
After reading other peoples reviews, I have come to a conclusion. I think it’s important that this book was made because it gives a glimpse into the the thought process of the groomed. We as readers know that it’s gross, uncomfortable and upsetting and while Elio also realizes this, his feelings are much different. Through Elio’s thoughts, we are also being groomed by Oliver to care for their relationship (see other peoples reviews calling this an amazing love story) it’s a good story, but not one about love. It’s about obsession, it’s about craving an experience but ultimately it’s about the power imbalances teenagers have with adults. How teenagers are easily taken advantage of and made to think they are in love. I honestly don’t think the writer wrote it to have this kind of meaning whatsoever which makes it worse for me. The deep dive into Elio’s sexual thoughts was disturbing. I mean, I really didn’t need to know what a 17 year old was thinking while he was going at it into a peach. I think it’s important to understand his thoughts but the amount of detail into the desires was gross. Also the writing style??? What pretentious person decided they would just add every word from the dictionary, put it into run on sentences, and then publish it? Some quotes were good but it’s too much philosophy without actually making any sense. People who praise this book for the writing and the feeling that you get while reading are weird. Honestly, the writing just made me want to finish it 10x faster just so I could be done. I love the movie compared to this. Also the fetish for Jewish people, GROSS!!! The author isn’t even Jewish which I didn’t know while reading. I was weirded out but I just went along with it because maybe he was just being expressive of his faith/background BUT NO, he just fetishized Jewish people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Antisemitism, Death, Death of parent, and Transphobia
anjae's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book made me feel things, so I can’t rate it that low. But, there were so many things wrong with this book that I can’t rate it highly.
I found Elio’s obsession with and possessiveness over Oliver fascinating and thought-provoking, but it’s obvious that Aciman did not intend for it to be so. Elio and Oliver’s relationship is not a social commentary, and its problems are never discussed or seen as bad. If there had been a reflection on the age-difference, or the power plays, or the nature of Elio’s awe and worship of Oliver, then I could have rated it higher. But because the unhealthy relationship is seen as healthy, I can’t morally rate it higher.
There were also a few moments where I was genuinely disgusted and uncomfortable, namely the few paragraphs after the “peach scene” (the scene itself didn’t bother me, more so the description of the peach that followed), and the racism and fetishization of trans people by the poet towards the end.
I was also bothered by the continued mention of Elio and Oliver’s Judaism, especially because Aciman is not himself Jewish, and the mentions are always in relation to Elio’s attraction to it, making it seem like yet another fetish of Aciman.
Finally, the fact that the age and power difference between Elio and Oliver is never mentioned makes me uncomfortable. Perhaps that is intentional, by way of showing the allure of summer in Italy, but I think it is bad regardless.
The ending kept this book from being a 2 star read, though. I think it was a beautiful representation of what it means to break up; how someone can be your everything but then no longer shares your life. But unfortunately the bad in the rest of the book outweighs the good at the end.
I found Elio’s obsession with and possessiveness over Oliver fascinating and thought-provoking, but it’s obvious that Aciman did not intend for it to be so. Elio and Oliver’s relationship is not a social commentary, and its problems are never discussed or seen as bad. If there had been a reflection on the age-difference, or the power plays, or the nature of Elio’s awe and worship of Oliver, then I could have rated it higher. But because the unhealthy relationship is seen as healthy, I can’t morally rate it higher.
There were also a few moments where I was genuinely disgusted and uncomfortable, namely the few paragraphs after the “peach scene” (the scene itself didn’t bother me, more so the description of the peach that followed), and the racism and fetishization of trans people by the poet towards the end.
I was also bothered by the continued mention of Elio and Oliver’s Judaism, especially because Aciman is not himself Jewish, and the mentions are always in relation to Elio’s attraction to it, making it seem like yet another fetish of Aciman.
Finally, the fact that the age and power difference between Elio and Oliver is never mentioned makes me uncomfortable. Perhaps that is intentional, by way of showing the allure of summer in Italy, but I think it is bad regardless.
The ending kept this book from being a 2 star read, though. I think it was a beautiful representation of what it means to break up; how someone can be your everything but then no longer shares your life. But unfortunately the bad in the rest of the book outweighs the good at the end.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Racism, and Transphobia
pr1nce_of_h3arts's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
How does this have high ratings!??
Let me bullet point the HUGEST issues
• Author disgustingly fetishises and sexualises thai people, also describes them as something along the lines of "alien like sexual creatures of innocence" Need I say more?
• foot fetish. just yucky honestly. he sucked on his toes.
• one made the other throw up by putting fingers down others throat, they then made out.
• Elio fucks a literal peach. and then it's described as a "bruised and violated" and "lay there like a rape victim"
• the Oliver comes in and proceeds to EAT the peach covered in "substance"
• The age gap is weird
Apart from that, Elio is unrealistically written as a 17 year old and the actual story was terribly boring. Overall poorly written as well.
Let me bullet point the HUGEST issues
• Author disgustingly fetishises and sexualises thai people, also describes them as something along the lines of "alien like sexual creatures of innocence" Need I say more?
• foot fetish. just yucky honestly. he sucked on his toes.
• one made the other throw up by putting fingers down others throat, they then made out.
• Elio fucks a literal peach. and then it's described as a "bruised and violated" and "lay there like a rape victim"
• the Oliver comes in and proceeds to EAT the peach covered in "substance"
• The age gap is weird
Apart from that, Elio is unrealistically written as a 17 year old and the actual story was terribly boring. Overall poorly written as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Vomit and Rape
leahpardon's review against another edition
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I am…very conflicted about this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
lex_r's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This book has some really intense moments where the inner dialogue makes you question the sanity of Elio and his thoughts and character. I wasn't sure how I felt about the aggressive sexual language, the graphic thoughts, or the age gap between the two characters. But I gave the book some grace and continued, framing the uncomfortable intense moments as intrusive thoughts as the novel is told from the inner perspective of Elio. In the end I am happy I stuck it out the book developed into a beautiful love story that really pulled together in the last 100 pages, but forewarning the ending is gut wrenching.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Vomit and Excrement
Minor: Death of parent, Grief, Rape, and Death
onthelam's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
i was confused and uncomfortable at some points. Like fucking a peach i could still bear but then comparing it to a rape victim was just ugh and ofcourse the creepy underwear scene. But the writing was amazing, everything was beautifully worded and some parts made me feel like i understood myself better. the characters were complicated as was the story and the ending left me feeling sorta empty but in a good way?
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Death, Drug use, Excrement, Grief, Homophobia, Rape, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Vomit