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elainarkk's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
While reading this book--I have to forget the age difference, specifically the way Elio is still seventeen and Oliver is twenty-four. When I am successful in this, I am overwhelmed by the beauty of this book: by the realness of crushing love, by the desire to, at once, be with and be the person you admire. Time and memory and sexuality and aging--existing in the repetition of life, waiting for the next step of the pattern to repeat itself. This book is life-changing, certainly, even as it challenges me. (Which is maybe the best kind of book?)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
logenthielke's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual content
Minor: Rape
The book could’ve been perfectly normal, had the Elio been 20 or 21 years old instead of 17. I guess this book shows how easily someone can be groomed, but I truly don’t think the “age gap” was a necessary contribution to the story. A 17 year old boy being preyed on by a 24 year old man is not an age gap, it’s grooming and pedophilia. Hard pass.lailahatesithere's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
the writing is so beautiful, i just wish the creepy age gap did not exist!!! also could’ve done without the one bathroom scene in rome and the peach scene
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
sofiavivi16's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.25
Taking .75 stars off for the glorified creep stuff. That being said, it's a beautifully written book. In a messed up way, it takes a really great writer to convince thousands of people to root for a relationship between an adult and a a teenager. Also there's no trigger warning option for the peach scene and i think some people would appreciate a warning. I won't say what exactly happens but just Google a spoiler idk
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
lia_mills's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
3.25
Method: audiobook
Note: I think this book works better if you treat it as literary fiction rather than romance fiction (partly because the age gap in question makes the central relationship ethically questionable in a way I think the story is aware of but doesn't fully engage with, but mostly because the book is far more interested in Elio's internal life than it is with this central relationship - it's just that most of Elio's internal life over the course of this story was him obsessing over this man).
Since listening to the audiobook, I've seen the film, which I prefer, but I'm glad I did the book first - the book is so entirely rooted in the protagonist's inner monologue, and the film relies on everything except a direct inner monologue (which it doesn't have) to explore his perspective, which makes for an interesting contrast.
The film wins over for 4 main reasons for me: 1) it has (slightly) more of an interest in other people's perspectives (i.e. treats Marzia more as an actual character), 2) the cinematography and landscapes are beautiful, 3) it almost entirely removes the "San Clemente Syndrome" section of the book (which did absolutely nothing for me), and 4) it has a different ending point, which I found more emotionally fulfilling in part because of its directness and in part because of the nature of the story.
To me, the film changes the story from being about remembering something (as it is the book) to being about experiencing something (and, at the film's ending, reflecting on that experience and really feeling the bittersweet pain of its aftermath), and I think the film does a stronger job with the latter than the book does with the former.
Note: I think this book works better if you treat it as literary fiction rather than romance fiction (partly because the age gap in question makes the central relationship ethically questionable in a way I think the story is aware of but doesn't fully engage with, but mostly because the book is far more interested in Elio's internal life than it is with this central relationship - it's just that most of Elio's internal life over the course of this story was him obsessing over this man).
Since listening to the audiobook, I've seen the film, which I prefer, but I'm glad I did the book first - the book is so entirely rooted in the protagonist's inner monologue, and the film relies on everything except a direct inner monologue (which it doesn't have) to explore his perspective, which makes for an interesting contrast.
The film wins over for 4 main reasons for me: 1) it has (slightly) more of an interest in other people's perspectives (i.e. treats Marzia more as an actual character), 2) the cinematography and landscapes are beautiful, 3) it almost entirely removes the "San Clemente Syndrome" section of the book (which did absolutely nothing for me), and 4) it has a different ending point, which I found more emotionally fulfilling in part because of its directness and in part because of the nature of the story.
To me, the film changes the story from being about remembering something (as it is the book) to being about experiencing something (and, at the film's ending, reflecting on that experience and really feeling the bittersweet pain of its aftermath), and I think the film does a stronger job with the latter than the book does with the former.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Adult/minor relationship
grettski's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Ignoring the problematic age gap between Elio and Oliver, so much of this book is well written. Specifically, whenever Vimini would talk, or someone would talk about her, I would start bawling. I wish I had a book, and a sequel to that book, and a movie just about her because ohmygod she was the best part of this book and she was in it for maybe 10 pages altogether.
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
They like, never talk about it. Their relationship is mentioned by other characters, but seemingly no one talks about the fact that a 23 year old and 17 year old were in a relationship.lio_ramon_dolor's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, and Pedophilia
Minor: Vomit and Excrement
tea_ana's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Definitely not for everyone, there are some uncomfortable scenes to get through but overall a fascinating portrayal of a young man’s experience in a tumultuous and ultimately unhealthy relationship. Elio’s narration is really what kept me reading which was great because the entire book was essentially the whirlwind of Elio’s conflicting thoughts. Wonderfully written though relatively slow paced. If you watched the movie and want to read the source material I’d say go for it but don’t expect it to be as covered in a haze of romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Adult/minor relationship, Excrement, Pedophilia, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Alcohol
macdonac's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Rape, and Adult/minor relationship
kittiesss's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship