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elidia's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and Excrement
sillih28's review
reflective
medium-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? Yes
3.5
Having watched the movie before reading this book I already knew what to expect and wasn't too excited about it. As a queer person the fact that the only gay book that gets media attention is about pedophilia is very upsetting, however after reading the book I definitely understand the appeal. Through the whole reading-process I have had my ups and downs about who to like and what to think, but the thing that stands out most to me, was Elios very unhealthy obsession with Oliver. One could even see this as a balance to Olivers pedophilia.
All in all was the book a very nice read and I really like the authors writing style, and parting from what the movie shows was their romance way more lovey-dovey than erotic.
All in all was the book a very nice read and I really like the authors writing style, and parting from what the movie shows was their romance way more lovey-dovey than erotic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Child death, and Vomit
Minor: Antisemitism, Cancer, Death of parent, Excrement, and Homophobia
There's one page were Elio is bordering on rape-fantasiescsteidl93's review
DNF - sucks because a lot of the writing was beautiful (I highlighted a TON of stunning passages) but the main character was off putting in so many ways. If he wasn't such a little weirdo, I think I would have really enjoyed this book. I loved the stream of consciousness style of writing, how introspective and relatable he could be in the processing of his feelings, and how many of the plot points and character dynamics brought up fantastic discussion topics. But unfortunately this fell short for me.
I understand that the author may be trying to portray a relationship that is so deeply vulnerable and intimate that the lines between the two people as individuals are blurred, and that is a really fascinating topic that I personally haven't read about before. But I would've loved to read more about the emotional aspect of that topic instead of just mainly physical. I think certain actions by the main characters crossed boundaries and didn't support that narrative at all. I think it actually did the story a disservice as a whole.
I might pick this up again in the future just to see how it ends. But I need some time to recover from that peach scene lol. I might be better off just watching the movie.
I understand that the author may be trying to portray a relationship that is so deeply vulnerable and intimate that the lines between the two people as individuals are blurred, and that is a really fascinating topic that I personally haven't read about before. But I would've loved to read more about the emotional aspect of that topic instead of just mainly physical. I think certain actions by the main characters crossed boundaries and didn't support that narrative at all. I think it actually did the story a disservice as a whole.
I might pick this up again in the future just to see how it ends. But I need some time to recover from that peach scene lol. I might be better off just watching the movie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Rape and Excrement
marissab's review
emotional
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
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Excrement, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia
Moderate: Excrement, Racism, Transphobia, and Xenophobia
Minor: Racism, Rape, and Transphobia
lenamar's review
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Well this book was a rollercoaster.
I started reading it sitting in school in one of my free hours and only one page in I said to my friend: "I already love this book"
I was amazed by how detailed the author has written this book. And this wonderful poetic writing style accompanies us through the whole book. Never have I read a book with figure of speech. The intertwining of philosophy, art and music is beautiful and unique. There aren't many authors who are able to write like this, one worthy comparison can be drawn to Donna Tartt.
Content wise, well let's put it this way, it was everything but not what I was expecting. I thought I would read a cute and fun LGBTQIA lovestory. Dont get me wrong, I love to be surprised.
Written from the point of view of Elio who is clearly obsessing over our dearest Oliver, it made me feel and think things I never would've dreamt of.
I had to put the book down several times out of (I'm not even sure how to call this feeling) a mixture of secondhand embarrassment and disgust, I think. Never will I see peaches the same way as I did before reading the book. There were some passages that made shake my head, scream at the characters but also laugh. And I loved every second of it. I love it when books make me feel this way or another. And believe me when I tell you that what I felt wasn't innocent. My poor brother next door when I started yelling at the book at 2 in the morning...
Anyway, what also fascinated me was that the characters, let's take Elio's thoughts as the example, thought and acted so raw, humane and uncensored. What would be a taboo for the majority of authors to write like this.
What I didn't like about the plot was the adult-child relationship. Mentally I had the feeling that Elio wasn't 17 but 14/15 and Oliver around 30. In reality they have a 7 year age gap but still, I couldn't get this out of my mind and it stopped me from being happy for both of them many times.
My favourite part was probably when Oliver and Elio went to Rome and on their first evening, they went to this kind of book party. This was so beautiful and reminded me a lot of "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
The fact that time didnt seem to matter at all, was pretty fascinating for me. No matter how late or early it was, there was always something happening. And the people were so open. It was pretty heartwarming.For example, when they were in Rome and were left alone in the bar because the waiter trusted them. Or when they went to this big market place or whatever it was and they sang and danced with complete strangers.
All in all it's a masterpiece which deserves the five stars, but I didn't give them, because my mind cant deal with the mental ages, the foot fetish and the possible fruit fetish. Sorry André
I started reading it sitting in school in one of my free hours and only one page in I said to my friend: "I already love this book"
I was amazed by how detailed the author has written this book. And this wonderful poetic writing style accompanies us through the whole book. Never have I read a book with figure of speech. The intertwining of philosophy, art and music is beautiful and unique. There aren't many authors who are able to write like this, one worthy comparison can be drawn to Donna Tartt.
Content wise, well let's put it this way, it was everything but not what I was expecting. I thought I would read a cute and fun LGBTQIA lovestory. Dont get me wrong, I love to be surprised.
Written from the point of view of Elio who is clearly obsessing over our dearest Oliver, it made me feel and think things I never would've dreamt of.
I had to put the book down several times out of (I'm not even sure how to call this feeling) a mixture of secondhand embarrassment and disgust, I think. Never will I see peaches the same way as I did before reading the book. There were some passages that made shake my head, scream at the characters but also laugh. And I loved every second of it. I love it when books make me feel this way or another. And believe me when I tell you that what I felt wasn't innocent. My poor brother next door when I started yelling at the book at 2 in the morning...
Anyway, what also fascinated me was that the characters, let's take Elio's thoughts as the example, thought and acted so raw, humane and uncensored. What would be a taboo for the majority of authors to write like this.
What I didn't like about the plot was the adult-child relationship. Mentally I had the feeling that Elio wasn't 17 but 14/15 and Oliver around 30. In reality they have a 7 year age gap but still, I couldn't get this out of my mind and it stopped me from being happy for both of them many times.
The fact that time didnt seem to matter at all, was pretty fascinating for me. No matter how late or early it was, there was always something happening. And the people were so open. It was pretty heartwarming.
All in all it's a masterpiece which deserves the five stars, but I didn't give them, because my mind cant deal with the mental ages, the foot fetish and the possible fruit fetish. Sorry André
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Antisemitism, Biphobia, Child death, Excrement, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Vomit
eknuts17's review
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Excrement
ienbdri's review
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Terminal illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child death, Excrement, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Vomit
laurenleigh's review
emotional
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I found this beautiful, poignant, and heartbreaking in a strangely satisfying way, for a number of reasons. There’s a catharsis in reliving your first love, in all its intensity and eagerness and doomed fate, as it must almost inevitably make room for a second, third, fourth love. There’s also a certain happiness to be found in watching a young person feel ALL the feelings, compared to your older self, who still has a lot of feelings of course, but has the gift of perspective. Lastly, I derive a twisted pleasure when a book can break my heart. That black squiggles on a page or a string of sounds can bring about rich, unfettered emotion is a never-ending marvel to me. I really want to reread this in print sometime, to better sit with Aciman’s language. I also, unsurprisingly, want to rewatch the movie for the umpteenth time. I actually can’t decide if I like the movie or the book better, which is rare. If anything, I appreciate the movie even more now. The acting, the directing, the soundtrack…ah they were all so perfectly encapsulating of the text. I think the one and only thing missing from the movie is some of the nuances regarding Elio’s bisexuality. Not that Elio ever pins down or puts words to how he identifies, but the book just illustrates this element of Elio a bit better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Excrement
Minor: Death of parent and Injury/Injury detail
gabrielleclarke05's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Wow.. this was gross in multiple parts. Elio compared the peach to a SA victim🧐 I’m glad the film cut out the problematic bits. This book just felt like the author writing down his weird fetishes
The movie overall is better and this book just felt creepy and the author is a self proclaimed pedophile so take that as you will
The movie overall is better and this book just felt creepy and the author is a self proclaimed pedophile so take that as you will
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Biphobia, Abandonment, Alcohol, Excrement, Gaslighting, Grief, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Body shaming, and Sexual assault
fanygrza's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Vomit and Excrement