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jamchow's review against another edition
3.0
This is such a tricky thing because I still don’t know if I’ve processed how I feel about it. This was by far my most anticipated book of the year as I loved CMBYN with all my heart so it’s a lot to live up to. Sequels, are always very tricky because while fans always say they want to know more, I think, it’s always best to leave it as it was meant to at the start. I think authors, producers, directors, etc see the success and acclaim for the original material and want to capitalize on it, but the shouldn’t.
To address this book specifically, the writing was absolutely stunning (what else was to be expected though?). The way in which he brings together ideas just punches you in the gut. I don’t know anyone who explores love, desire, and passion so honestly. However, unlike CMBYN, this novel was riddled with, what I felt to be, insta-love. It’s split up into about four parts- one with Elio’s father, then Elio, the Oliver, and finally our lovers reunite at
last in the last 10 pages. In CMBYN, Samuel was certainly not the main character, but when he did appear, he stole the show. I already knew going in that the first chunk would focus on him and I wasn’t as upset as a lot of people. With that being said, I was dumbfounded. At first, I wasn’t hating it, but it quickly turned into ?????. The “insta-love” was really bizarre to me and I had this issue with the Elio section as well. With CMBYN, there is this instantaneous connection, but it’s a slow burn. In this book, we have people meeting in a day or two and instantly like my life was incomplete without you. Not to mention the incest (just why? I get that he wants to explore someone being completely honest and no taboos but no) and I was confused about the loose end regarding Ariel/Leon. And I just feel like beyond that, this book was supposed to tie up loose ends, but I feel like it created more at the same time. I was quite sad to see him break up Elio’s parents for no seemingly good reason other than to write this book. Oliver’s section was a bit hard to understand at first just because we’re thrown in there and I had to go back and reread some parts because it was impossible to make connections at first. It was really disappointing, though I was semi prepared, that the meeting everyone wanted was like 10 pages, but I have to say those pages were beautiful and everything I needed. I wish it could’ve been more and I definitely feel like it should’ve been more as there was just so much wasted space talking about unnecessary things.
Do I feel like this book needed to exist? No. While I am happy that Elio and Oliver got the happy ending they deserved, some sadistic part of me loved the heartbreaking ending in CMBYN because it felt powerful and their emotions were so palpable, while this felt a little cliche.
To address this book specifically, the writing was absolutely stunning (what else was to be expected though?). The way in which he brings together ideas just punches you in the gut. I don’t know anyone who explores love, desire, and passion so honestly. However, unlike CMBYN, this novel was riddled with, what I felt to be, insta-love. It’s split up into about four parts- one with Elio’s father, then Elio, the Oliver, and finally our lovers reunite at
last in the last 10 pages. In CMBYN, Samuel was certainly not the main character, but when he did appear, he stole the show. I already knew going in that the first chunk would focus on him and I wasn’t as upset as a lot of people. With that being said, I was dumbfounded. At first, I wasn’t hating it, but it quickly turned into ?????. The “insta-love” was really bizarre to me and I had this issue with the Elio section as well. With CMBYN, there is this instantaneous connection, but it’s a slow burn. In this book, we have people meeting in a day or two and instantly like my life was incomplete without you. Not to mention the incest (just why? I get that he wants to explore someone being completely honest and no taboos but no) and I was confused about the loose end regarding Ariel/Leon. And I just feel like beyond that, this book was supposed to tie up loose ends, but I feel like it created more at the same time. I was quite sad to see him break up Elio’s parents for no seemingly good reason other than to write this book. Oliver’s section was a bit hard to understand at first just because we’re thrown in there and I had to go back and reread some parts because it was impossible to make connections at first. It was really disappointing, though I was semi prepared, that the meeting everyone wanted was like 10 pages, but I have to say those pages were beautiful and everything I needed. I wish it could’ve been more and I definitely feel like it should’ve been more as there was just so much wasted space talking about unnecessary things.
Do I feel like this book needed to exist? No. While I am happy that Elio and Oliver got the happy ending they deserved, some sadistic part of me loved the heartbreaking ending in CMBYN because it felt powerful and their emotions were so palpable, while this felt a little cliche.
jofu04's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
honey_bunn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
pennyleigh's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
mathiasaurous's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
inesmadeleinelouise's review against another edition
5.0
i'm gonna admit that i was really curious/suspicious to see how andré aciman was going to finish the story, but now that i've finished the book i am so touched and could honestly not found a better way to do it.
Most of the book feels like it's a loaded wire, and you think "i like this, even tho it stings, and now i want the other thing we are all here for, please, and even tho it'll probably sting too, i want it now!"
ironically, the whole reunited and domestic epilogue of this romance only happens on the last 15 or so pages. but the ending wouldn't have been the same without all the parts before, i feel like they were all really essencial and flowed into each other amazingly. it was also soooo great to see it from Elio's father and Oliver's point of view and what their thoughts were. it was so beautiful and so touching, i basically devoured it. will always love them
Most of the book feels like it's a loaded wire, and you think "i like this, even tho it stings, and now i want the other thing we are all here for, please, and even tho it'll probably sting too, i want it now!"
ironically, the whole reunited and domestic epilogue of this romance only happens on the last 15 or so pages. but the ending wouldn't have been the same without all the parts before, i feel like they were all really essencial and flowed into each other amazingly. it was also soooo great to see it from Elio's father and Oliver's point of view and what their thoughts were. it was so beautiful and so touching, i basically devoured it. will always love them