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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
lay_kone's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, and Pedophilia
dianadelacruisin's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Pedophilia, and Rape
Moderate: Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, and Sexual content
beathoughtfullyhence's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Non sono mai stata una grande fan dei romance, questo emanava delle belle vibes, ma tutta la faccenda di elio e oliver mi lasciava ad ogni capitolo con un retrogusto amaro, qualcosa non andava in questo libro, almeno per me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Vomit and Sexual content
Minor: Pedophilia
ams5x9's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I really wanted to like this book, however despite being well written, it lacked substance.
I’m here for a timeless, devoted love story between two men that transcends age and culture set in a time period where such thing was taboo.
However, this book fell flat. The characters lacked dimension and several parts of the book felt like I was imposing on the mind of a very anxiously obsessed adolescent who throughout the novel *rapes* a peach and prizes *literal* shit.
I didn’t find it to be arduous admiration—it felt creepy.
I think other reviewers, particularly gay men who have similarly rated this two stars or lower, do a great job at describing the problematic parts of this novel, so I would defer to their sentiments and opinions for more extensive commentary that echos or matches my experience reading this novel.
I’m here for a timeless, devoted love story between two men that transcends age and culture set in a time period where such thing was taboo.
However, this book fell flat. The characters lacked dimension and several parts of the book felt like I was imposing on the mind of a very anxiously obsessed adolescent who throughout the novel *rapes* a peach and prizes *literal* shit.
I didn’t find it to be arduous admiration—it felt creepy.
I think other reviewers, particularly gay men who have similarly rated this two stars or lower, do a great job at describing the problematic parts of this novel, so I would defer to their sentiments and opinions for more extensive commentary that echos or matches my experience reading this novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Pedophilia, and Adult/minor relationship
tadiwa_e's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I cannot really express the experience I went through reading this book. Almost DNFed it 3 times… I am still processing. But I will say. What a beautifully written piece. I would not call it a romance but maybe a recollection of Elios memories. It was intimate and sometimes really intense.
However I cannot get behind the age gap and power dynamics in the relationship. No matter how much Aciman tries to present it as something to be praised. For that I cannot give a higher rating. Some parts of this book also were disgusting… sorry… there’s no way THAT scene is going to be skipped past like it never happened.
Overall I loved a lot of quotes in this book and it was thought provoking especially Elios Fathers speech at the end.
However I cannot get behind the age gap and power dynamics in the relationship. No matter how much Aciman tries to present it as something to be praised. For that I cannot give a higher rating. Some parts of this book also were disgusting… sorry… there’s no way THAT scene is going to be skipped past like it never happened.
Overall I loved a lot of quotes in this book and it was thought provoking especially Elios Fathers speech at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Child death, Cancer, and Death of parent
greyreadss's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Pedophilia, and Adult/minor relationship
zackarinareads's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia
andi00's review against another edition
what can I tell you man the book is just straight up pedophilia.
I'll give the writer some credit due to the fact that his writing did reach an ammount of lyrical level- but that's it. No other redeemable quality. As I mentioned, the plot is about a young boy getting subtly groomed and Italy I guess.
The plot isn't even as compelling as people here make it out to be- I'm not even sure how I managed to finish 200 pages.
It's not "beautiful and heartreaking" - it's sick and mostly- as the kids say nowadays- mid at best. I've read fanfiction better than this.
It's sad to see people buying and hyping the book just because the movie was aesthetic.
If you want queer stories- you should check out queer writers and our own voices books:)
I'll give the writer some credit due to the fact that his writing did reach an ammount of lyrical level- but that's it. No other redeemable quality. As I mentioned, the plot is about a young boy getting subtly groomed and Italy I guess.
The plot isn't even as compelling as people here make it out to be- I'm not even sure how I managed to finish 200 pages.
It's not "beautiful and heartreaking" - it's sick and mostly- as the kids say nowadays- mid at best. I've read fanfiction better than this.
It's sad to see people buying and hyping the book just because the movie was aesthetic.
If you want queer stories- you should check out queer writers and our own voices books:)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia