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A review by lia_mills
Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman
reflective
slow-paced
3.25
Method: audiobook
Note: I think this book works better if you treat it as literary fiction rather than romance fiction (partly because the age gap in question makes the central relationship ethically questionable in a way I think the story is aware of but doesn't fully engage with, but mostly because the book is far more interested in Elio's internal life than it is with this central relationship - it's just that most of Elio's internal life over the course of this story was him obsessing over this man).
Since listening to the audiobook, I've seen the film, which I prefer, but I'm glad I did the book first - the book is so entirely rooted in the protagonist's inner monologue, and the film relies on everything except a direct inner monologue (which it doesn't have) to explore his perspective, which makes for an interesting contrast.
The film wins over for 4 main reasons for me: 1) it has (slightly) more of an interest in other people's perspectives (i.e. treats Marzia more as an actual character), 2) the cinematography and landscapes are beautiful, 3) it almost entirely removes the "San Clemente Syndrome" section of the book (which did absolutely nothing for me), and 4) it has a different ending point, which I found more emotionally fulfilling in part because of its directness and in part because of the nature of the story.
To me, the film changes the story from being about remembering something (as it is the book) to being about experiencing something (and, at the film's ending, reflecting on that experience and really feeling the bittersweet pain of its aftermath), and I think the film does a stronger job with the latter than the book does with the former.
Note: I think this book works better if you treat it as literary fiction rather than romance fiction (partly because the age gap in question makes the central relationship ethically questionable in a way I think the story is aware of but doesn't fully engage with, but mostly because the book is far more interested in Elio's internal life than it is with this central relationship - it's just that most of Elio's internal life over the course of this story was him obsessing over this man).
Since listening to the audiobook, I've seen the film, which I prefer, but I'm glad I did the book first - the book is so entirely rooted in the protagonist's inner monologue, and the film relies on everything except a direct inner monologue (which it doesn't have) to explore his perspective, which makes for an interesting contrast.
The film wins over for 4 main reasons for me: 1) it has (slightly) more of an interest in other people's perspectives (i.e. treats Marzia more as an actual character), 2) the cinematography and landscapes are beautiful, 3) it almost entirely removes the "San Clemente Syndrome" section of the book (which did absolutely nothing for me), and 4) it has a different ending point, which I found more emotionally fulfilling in part because of its directness and in part because of the nature of the story.
To me, the film changes the story from being about remembering something (as it is the book) to being about experiencing something (and, at the film's ending, reflecting on that experience and really feeling the bittersweet pain of its aftermath), and I think the film does a stronger job with the latter than the book does with the former.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Adult/minor relationship