Call Me by Your Name
Ratings364
Average rating4
This is a beautiful story and so beautifully written it feels like poetry.
It loses one star because of the apricot scene:
“The bruised and damaged peach, like a rape victim, lay on its side on my desk, shamed, loyal, aching, and confused, struggling not to spill what I'd left inside.” This is absolutely wrong! Rape victims should not be used as a metaphor, and much less followed by adjectives like loyal”
it was so beautiful and sad omg. elio is a bit of a weird character but i love him nonetheless Xx the quotes in this are just so like ??? they make you question everything.
So, overall I really liked the story. I liked the vibes, but let's get more into my thoughts:
1. THEME
This book has a few different themes, such as heartbreak, pain, regret and identity. These themes are all very important for the impact of the story on the reader. I personally really like books that deal with such topics.
2. PLOT
The plot was quite slow at points. It did make me doubt my rating a few times whilst reading, but I still went with four stars because of the beautiful writing style of Aciman. I loved his style so much and I didn't want to stop reading.
‘Call me by your name' is a one-of-a-kind story. The romance is adorable, even though lots of people don't agree with the romance in this book. I simply loved the attraction between Elio and Oliver. The romance could be a bit weird and possessive at point, but overall it was a cute love story.
3. CHARACTERS
Elio: innocent and pure soul. I loved his way of thinking quite a lot.
Oliver: handsome man. Great character. Overall a cool guy.
Marzia: she was amazing in every single way! I loved her.
Elio's parents: the best parents a kid in a fictional world could wish for. They are such wonderful human beings and they love Elio with every fiber in their bodies.
4. CONCLUSION
Overall, I really liked the story. It can be a bit hard to read, because the plot is not fast-paced. But if you like a good view on a book with a stream of consciousness this book is perfect! :)
ps. I've seen the movie: I loved it.
“He came. He left. Nothing else had changed. I had not changed. The world hadn't changed. Yet nothing would be the same. All that remains is dreammaking and strange remembrance.”
Nem sei bem o que estou a sentir neste momento. Que livro lindo e intenso! Não tenho palavras, só amor.
“You'll kill me if you stop” <3
I'm going to be honest. I thought the entirety of parts one and two were bad, and I thought most of part three was bad, but once the pair visited Rome the book got good, so I guess I'll give it three stars because part four really hit me in the feels, it was so raw and real.
The style and structure of the novel, the setting, and characterization of Elio and Oliver are the novel's strengths. There weren't many dull moments that I could highlight. Armie Hammer does an exceptional job narrating the audiobook as well. I hung on his every word as he grasped the emotion that Aciman conveyed through his words. Thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Incredibly boring and its obvious that the author has a foot fetish.
also here's a bit from the book that really confused me:
“Don't flush,” I'd said, “I want to look.” What I saw brought out strains of compassion for him, for his body, for his life, which suddenly seemed so frail and vulnerable. “Our bodies won't have secrets now,” I said as I took my turn and sat down. He hopped into the bathtub and was just about to turn on the shower. “I want you to see mine, I said. He did more. He stepped out, kissed me on the mouth, and, pressing and massaging my tummy with the flat of his palm, watched the whole thing happen.
first of all, what. Second of all, why?
We really didn't need that imagery in our heads Mr. Aciman.
This was a beautiful story, but in a completely heartbreaking way. I didn't expect it to make me feel sad. Audiobook is narrated by Armie Hammer, who does a fantastic job.
The audiobook is spellbindingly intimate, and I was deeply gratified that the ending of the book was just as satisfying as the film, in a completely different way.
A beautiful book, and one of the best love stories I've read in a while. Aciman juxtaposes Elio's internal fervor and manic desire with the setting of a gorgeous and languid Italian town, as well as Oliver's easy-going exterior.
The conclusion was masterful, as well. The reader has a strong sense from the beginning that the relationship is doomed, and although that is the case, Aciman manages to deliver a satisfying end, with just the right mixture of happiness and melancholy. I look forward to reading the sequel, which is due out later this year.
4.25* (first time reading it 09/11/18-10/10/18)
Reread (07/01/19-07/15/19) went the audiobook route this time and have no regrets! Armie Hammer's voice is beautiful, relaxing and perfect. Experiencing this story a second time (book wise, I have seen the movie at least 5 times now) gave me a new appreciation for the story. And my rating is now a 5 star.
> second reread (07/31/22-08/07/22) While I still have an absolute love for this book and story I never noticed how obsessed Elio is, he needs to take a few chill pills. Other than that the writing is still amazing.
I'm probably not allowed to say it but I do think the movie is better. Less obsessive and the slight changes that were made only improved the book. 84 tabs were used in the annotating of this book. 4.5*
4.5 stars
Poetic and personal!
Elio's story reminds us that to love and to be loved is a transcendent part of life.
Actor Armie Hammer, who plays Oliver in the movie, does a magnificent job reading as Elio in the audiobook version!
“Twenty years was yesterday, and yesterday was just earlier this morning, and morning seemed light-years away.”
Oh, fine, Aciman. Just go ahead and murder me. I love being killed. Nevermind that I have to drive my mother to the airport in the morning.
Good book. Aciman packs some practically transgressive intimacy into the relationship. ‘B.' and all the details, and the plot are solid and don't feel like they're just props. Elio's experience, and what we see of Oliver's, is real and honest. When they're together everything is beautiful and nothing everything hurts. for me: 3 stars = good, tasty book. 4 stars = jesus, it was amazing. 5 stars = i don't deserve to have read it, my life has been altered, etc.
En líneas generales me gusto el libro como para darle 3 estrellas, pero el capitulo “Lugares fantasmas” fue tan espectacular que me hizo darle 4 estrellas. La narración de esa parte de la relación de los protagonistas es tan buena, que es imposible parar.
I finished this book moments ago in a coffee shop. It's the first time in my life that I really had to stop myself from crying because of a book.
Sometimes I get emotional while reading a book but what I felt by reading this book is beyond emotional.
André Aciman successfully shaped characters that are well rounded and as complex as real human beings.
I usually never read romance books because I tend to feel that they're always depicting superficiality but Call Me By Your Name paints love in all its complexity without hiding the difficult moments, the suffering and the pain that might result from a beautiful story.
jfc a billion stars. this book destroyed me. this book resonated with me perfectly: summer, languorous heat, lit, art, travel, nostalgia, ephemerality of time, mortality. agh.
Beauty, desire, sensuality, romance, obsession, nostalgia. My heart is heavy but also I feel so complete.
