"Call Me By Your Name"

"Call Me By Your Name"

Written by Andre Aciman

Reviewed by Diana Iozzia

Call Me By Your Name is marvelous and mesmerizing. The novel is romantic fiction bearing a plot that follows a 17 year-old Italian boy, Elio, who falls in love with his American houseguest, Oliver. They engage in a romantic summer fling, which could only ever lead to heartbreak. However, the positive and uplifting ending leads into the sequel, Find Me, which I plan to read soon. In a similar 'love then lost' storyline to a favorite, Tin Man by Sarah Winman, I found this novel to be a brand new favorite.

To continue, Aciman has a brilliant and captivating writing style, that just makes the reader feel good while reading, as if it is able to cause a serotonin release all on its own. The story feels pure, but sadly, Oliver does not. Elio is sweet, caring, and a little weird, but he feels so incredibly realistic, as if he could be telling the story to the reader in the same room. Oliver runs hot and cold, which just causes Elio to find him even more irresistible. I find him to be uninteresting at most times, while Elio carries the story in his poetic first person narration.

The characters play off so brilliantly, showing the stark difference between the two, as they both engage in this relationship. While I feel much more sympathetic and loving towards Elio, I felt it was interesting to see Oliver's character development in the later portions of the book, in Rome and in the epilogue portions. I felt so much longing and aching while reading, especially during their last days together. As someone in a long-distance relationship, I understand the pain of saying goodbye and wanting to drink every last second of the other person before separating. 

Additionally, I read this in a print form, but I imagine it'd be lovely to listen to as an audiobook. I plan to watch the film. I truly believe that this novel is best consumed in a kinesthetic way, recommending that the reader listens while drinking wine, having cheese and grapes, sitting outside in the sun, and even while listening to Taylor Swift's new album, Folklore. I plan to be engaging similarly again, when I pick up the sequel and when watching the film adaptation.

Lastly, I want to point out that although there is an age gap between the characters, I think one can push past it. The age of consent in Italy is fourteen, so even if that skeeves you out, the relationship in the novel is consenting at all times.

I rate this book at 5 out of 5 stars. It will stay in my collection and be cherished.