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charlottereadsthings's review
2.0
I went into this book knowing nothing about it except that it's a gay teen romance and was recently made into a film.
I found Elio an interesting but also worrying character as he explains the feelings he had one summer for a boy called Oliver. They are intense and his narrative certainly shows that, stepping over the threshold into a more violent expression: at one point he says that he wishes he could break Oliver's legs so that he could be in a wheelchair and therefore never be able to leave.
The romance felt very one sided while Elio was willing to give everything to Oliver (while not entirely understand exactly what that 'everything' was) whereas Oliver was sleeping with half the Island and had Elio on a rubber band. So I found it difficult to be fully invested in their relationship and really "root" for them at all.
There were some passages I noted down that I loved but I found the writing a bit dense and often had to reread passages to try to understand exactly what was happening.
However, I love how everything was told through "moments" rather than a consistent stream. I feel it reflected how we often look back on our lives: we don't remember everything, just the important moments.
I found Elio an interesting but also worrying character as he explains the feelings he had one summer for a boy called Oliver. They are intense and his narrative certainly shows that, stepping over the threshold into a more violent expression: at one point he says that he wishes he could break Oliver's legs so that he could be in a wheelchair and therefore never be able to leave.
The romance felt very one sided while Elio was willing to give everything to Oliver (while not entirely understand exactly what that 'everything' was) whereas Oliver was sleeping with half the Island and had Elio on a rubber band. So I found it difficult to be fully invested in their relationship and really "root" for them at all.
There were some passages I noted down that I loved but I found the writing a bit dense and often had to reread passages to try to understand exactly what was happening.
However, I love how everything was told through "moments" rather than a consistent stream. I feel it reflected how we often look back on our lives: we don't remember everything, just the important moments.
maliajackson's review
4.0
Dang! I'm not a smoker but this book made me feel like I needed a cigarette.
It's so interior and vulnerable and intimate and yes, erotic, that it's almost embarrassing to read. But it's gorgeous and moody and absorbing. I was worried it was going to be horribly tragic, but it wasn't really. Weirdly enough, it's kind of got the same level of tragedy as Roman Holiday, where you know from the start the relationship is doomed, but it's still beautiful and important for what it is.
And yes, do yourself a favor and listen to the audiobook narrated by Armie Hammer. He's so handsome even his reading voice is handsome.
It's so interior and vulnerable and intimate and yes, erotic, that it's almost embarrassing to read. But it's gorgeous and moody and absorbing. I was worried it was going to be horribly tragic, but it wasn't really. Weirdly enough, it's kind of got the same level of tragedy as Roman Holiday, where you know from the start the relationship is doomed, but it's still beautiful and important for what it is.
And yes, do yourself a favor and listen to the audiobook narrated by Armie Hammer. He's so handsome even his reading voice is handsome.
irismessenger's review
5.0
I don't know how to say this without being dramatic, but I think this book changed me. I listened to it on audio, but now I am certain that I need to buy a paperback copy and mark all of my favorite passages. If you are at all doubtful about reading it, get your hands on the audiobook because Armie Hammer narrates it, and he does it perfectly. I also highly recommend the film. But yeah, I don't know what to think about now, this book has consumed me for days. (Also if you listen to audiobooks at double speed, don't do it for this one, it will ruin it). This writing makes me want to be a writer.
nymeriasghost's review
5.0
"And this is only given once." It applies to everything, doesn't it? Real love, and the one life you get, and all things before and after.
I'm thoroughly heartbroken, but in that twisted, almost-good way. Definitely a new favorite of mine.
I'm thoroughly heartbroken, but in that twisted, almost-good way. Definitely a new favorite of mine.
qamar's review
4.0
4.5 Stars
Wow...where can I even begin? This book had a lot of raw emotion and left me speechless at times. I watched the movie awhile back and now after reading this I can truly say it captured the book perfectly. The ending had me feeling like i was right beside Elio with tears running down my cheeks. This left me thinking about myself in a certain light that I can’t quite explain...
After not really expecting myself to like this; I’m in love with this book.
Wow...where can I even begin? This book had a lot of raw emotion and left me speechless at times. I watched the movie awhile back and now after reading this I can truly say it captured the book perfectly. The ending had me feeling like i was right beside Elio with tears running down my cheeks. This left me thinking about myself in a certain light that I can’t quite explain...
After not really expecting myself to like this; I’m in love with this book.
njauf's review
2.0
do people actually like this? do people think this is a good book? the only reason i’m giving it two stars is because i like the closing paragraph