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A review by mariakureads
Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.5
I wasn't sure what to expect from this one.
It's a detailed look at two people over a summer holiday from the viewpoint of Elio, the young man whose thoughts, fantasies, worries, and fears are highlighted through a first-person narrative that is detailed and revealing.
It felt like the idea was about first love, and in thinking about it, this book felt like a punch to the gut. Through Elio's eyes, the intensity and longing, the highlights and exchanges both in public and in secret, the rush of it all reminded me of all of those feelings, so kudos to Aciman for that.
But there were some scenes that, for me, went too far, were unneeded, or dragged on. I listened to this book, and so I wasn't prepared for some of the more graphics moments or the descriptions of them, which frankly made me feel ick and made me stop listening for days.
I give the author kudos for his detailing in building this story and in creating depth, but I found the relationship between Elio and Oliver to be off-putting. I can't put my finger on the exacts; maybe it's the way they talk to each other, their dialogue in itself, the off-putting age difference, the nature of Oliver creeping into Elio's room... There are different moments throughout that I didn't connect with and I can agree I won't.
It's a detailed look at two people over a summer holiday from the viewpoint of Elio, the young man whose thoughts, fantasies, worries, and fears are highlighted through a first-person narrative that is detailed and revealing.
It felt like the idea was about first love, and in thinking about it, this book felt like a punch to the gut. Through Elio's eyes, the intensity and longing, the highlights and exchanges both in public and in secret, the rush of it all reminded me of all of those feelings, so kudos to Aciman for that.
But there were some scenes that, for me, went too far, were unneeded, or dragged on. I listened to this book, and so I wasn't prepared for some of the more graphics moments or the descriptions of them, which frankly made me feel ick and made me stop listening for days.
I give the author kudos for his detailing in building this story and in creating depth, but I found the relationship between Elio and Oliver to be off-putting. I can't put my finger on the exacts; maybe it's the way they talk to each other, their dialogue in itself, the off-putting age difference, the nature of Oliver creeping into Elio's room... There are different moments throughout that I didn't connect with and I can agree I won't.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, and Stalking