Call Me By Your Name (Call Me By Your Name, #1)

the writing in this book was so beautiful, almost like poetry at some parts, but there were just a few scenes in the book that i could not grasp at all, and i’m not sure elio was written as the most believable seventeen year old.

my first slow burn romance, but also after rethinking, I don't think it deserved the five stars because let's face it, the age gap was not okay. the way oliver played with elio's feelings, gave him mixed signals and decided to finally "give in" only to leave and get married and also have children? idk about you but this is not a love story but an adult exploiting a child.

Overall really enjoyed it, had a few (tiny) concerns with the characters and the story, but I liked it either way.

14 November 2018:

I've had a couple of days to think (and to read another book), and I honestly didn't comprehend just how great Call Me By Your Name was. I hade time to watch the film (it's great; you should watch it) and it really grew my love for this story.

First of all, thank you to the author of the book (André Aciman, of course) for creating characters that feels real. It's honest. It's raw. It's human emotions and human connection. This story isn't necessary about Elio's father, mother, Anchise, Marzia etc. but about the connection between Elio and Oliver. Nothing else really existed outside the story.

The story didn't try to explain everything that happened, everything that was said, everything that the viewer themselves couldn't figure out. Elio didn't have to scream at the top of his lungs just how much he wanted Oliver. How much he longed for his touch, his hands, his toes or his mouth. They understood each other. They didn't have to communicate everything they thought about. But still, I never felt there to be an everlasting silence between them. When words didn't speak, there was action. There was waiting. A wait that was necessary. A wait that didn't feel rushed.

Even though the ending might be a discussion of its own; was it a happy ending? Was it disappointing? Was it sad, or bitter or confusing? Or was it just an ending, an end to their romance, end to the emotions or end to us readers? I refuse to believe they didn't find each other. Because in the end, they were soulmates. They lived their lives. They grew up. They found other people to surround themselves with. But they also found each other at the end. And perhaps, they continued to live together. To love together. Maybe even both.

In the end I wish to read more books like this, more books with real connections. Books with human aspects and human emotions. Love and loss. Life and death. Relationships and romance. Passion and connection.

I would recommend this book with all my heart. And if you've still managed to read this but do not like reading; watch the film. Enjoy the visual aspect, the scenery, the conversations or the soundtrack but please, watch it. Or read it. Or both.