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A review by jessicamusch
Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-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
5.0
Is it better to speak or die?
Relationships 9/10
"Cor cordium, heart of hearts, I've never said anything truer in my life to anyone." 😭
Elio’s is every one of us, just more articulate. The romance is so lived in and relatable. The central relationship is not without conflict, however unlike many same sex romance stories, the conflict does not directly come from the stigma or homophobia of others, instead, Elio’s struggles with his sexuality and the concept of monogamy are more inner than outer: “We are not written for one instrument alone; I am not, neither are you.” “Barely half an hour ago l was asking Oliver to fuck me and now here I was about to make love to Marzia, and yet neither had anything to do with the other except through Elio, who happened to be one and the same person.” A point off for the age gap which made me feel a little uncomfortable.
Characters 7/10
"Was my father someone else? And if he was someone else, who was I?"
While Elio and Oliver are extremely well fleshed out, lived in, believable characters, a flaw of the book is the lack of well fleshed out female characters. In particular, Eliot’s mother has no impact on the story whatsoever, she is just there.
Atmosphere 9/10
Southern Italy and Rome feel like characters themselves, as does Elio’s home. The world is so vividly described that I can see the golden afternoon sunlight as the town takes its afternoon nap as if I were there.
Writing 10/10
“Do I like you, Oliver? I worship you.” Literally the most beautiful writing if have ever read. Aciman captures the uncertainty and longing of young love so perfectly. Even though the book is mostly told in passive first person voice, with near entire pages containing just one sentence, the writing skill means that this never feels tedious. A joy to read.
Intrigue 6/10
It is clear for the entire book that Olivier and Elio will have a romance, so there is little intrigue. The main source of intrigue is how it will all turn out, as there is a sense from early in the book that their romance will be as temporary as the summer.
Enjoyment 10/10
An instant favourite book. Also extremely sad. Sad to leave this world and sad that the sense of longing never goes away.
As I finished this book two nights ago, a good place to leave this review is “two nights ago you added an annual ring to my soul.”
Relationships 9/10
"Cor cordium, heart of hearts, I've never said anything truer in my life to anyone." 😭
Elio’s is every one of us, just more articulate. The romance is so lived in and relatable. The central relationship is not without conflict, however unlike many same sex romance stories, the conflict does not directly come from the stigma or homophobia of others, instead, Elio’s struggles with his sexuality and the concept of monogamy are more inner than outer: “We are not written for one instrument alone; I am not, neither are you.” “Barely half an hour ago l was asking Oliver to fuck me and now here I was about to make love to Marzia, and yet neither had anything to do with the other except through Elio, who happened to be one and the same person.” A point off for the age gap which made me feel a little uncomfortable.
Characters 7/10
"Was my father someone else? And if he was someone else, who was I?"
While Elio and Oliver are extremely well fleshed out, lived in, believable characters, a flaw of the book is the lack of well fleshed out female characters. In particular, Eliot’s mother has no impact on the story whatsoever, she is just there.
Atmosphere 9/10
Southern Italy and Rome feel like characters themselves, as does Elio’s home. The world is so vividly described that I can see the golden afternoon sunlight as the town takes its afternoon nap as if I were there.
Writing 10/10
“Do I like you, Oliver? I worship you.” Literally the most beautiful writing if have ever read. Aciman captures the uncertainty and longing of young love so perfectly. Even though the book is mostly told in passive first person voice, with near entire pages containing just one sentence, the writing skill means that this never feels tedious. A joy to read.
Intrigue 6/10
It is clear for the entire book that Olivier and Elio will have a romance, so there is little intrigue. The main source of intrigue is how it will all turn out, as there is a sense from early in the book that their romance will be as temporary as the summer.
Enjoyment 10/10
An instant favourite book. Also extremely sad. Sad to leave this world and sad that the sense of longing never goes away.
As I finished this book two nights ago, a good place to leave this review is “two nights ago you added an annual ring to my soul.”