Reviews with content warning for Biphobia - Kutsu minua nimelläsi

Reviews tagging 'Biphobia'

Kutsu minua nimelläsi by André Aciman

12 reviews

shaleen64's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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

3.75

The exploration of sexuality and love is beautifully detailed. As are the views surrounding these topics.

Each of the characters have a lovable or relatable quality to them. However, for me the most impactful scene was the conversation between Elio and his dad.

Had the book not been overly wordy at times with exceptionally long chapters, making the beginning in particular difficult to get through, I would have rated higher but nevertheless I would still recommend this book.

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leahloura's review against another edition

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emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Aciman's prose are truly jaw dropping. The prose in this book are lyrical, and honestly almost homeric. The setting in a beautiful Italian summer in the 80's had me hooked. That said, there is controversy surrounding this book because of the adult-adolescent romance that is the main focus/ plot of this novel, and because of that I would say that this is a book that should be read critically. I think that this novel is intended to make us reflect on how disturbing, strong, and complex human desire can be. I think it is a book that could make anyone who has experienced intense romantic obsession, infatuation, or lovesickness feel seen. Elios thoughts and feelings are written in a way that is so honest, it feels like you are reading someones most unfiltered and confidential thoughts and actions, the sort of things people would never say aloud.
I would recommend this book, especially as a summer read. Approach it like you're reading a diary, with enough open-mindedness to empathize and love the characters, but also enough objectivity to cast judgement where it is due.

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jo_lzr's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This story focuses on love, physical desire (though not only physical) and separation. The prose of this book is one of the reasons why I gave it 4 stars. I cannot begin to describe how beautiful the prose was. I liked reading it from Elio's perspective, especially the 4th part of the book. This story shows that separation, in all kinds of relationships, is inevitable and an essential component of human existence. I love the way it portrays both the beauty and sufferings that are part of the human experience, without demonizing the pain but rather accepting it and even reminding us that it has its own use.
I also have to mention that it was surprisingly a fast read.
Additionally, the scenery was beautiful and aesthetically pleasing.

I didn't give it 5 stars because I didn't relate to some of Elio's thoughts and because there were some scenes that I wasn't as interested in.

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lindasoderlundd's review against another edition

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emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

The writing was beautiful and atmospheric, and I really liked the last part of the book. Other than that, this book was just... meh. There was a lot of stuff that I found boring, and a lot of stuff that weirded me out. And for the most part, the love story didn't even feel like one.

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amberrenfrey's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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lenamar's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Well this book was a rollercoaster.

I started reading it sitting in school in one of my free hours and only one page in I said to my friend: "I already love this book"
I was amazed by how detailed the author has written this book. And this wonderful poetic writing style accompanies us through the whole book. Never have I read a book with figure of speech. The intertwining of philosophy, art and music is beautiful and unique. There aren't many authors who are able to write like this, one worthy comparison can be drawn to Donna Tartt.

Content wise, well let's put it this way, it was everything but not what I was expecting. I thought I would read a cute and fun LGBTQIA lovestory. Dont get me wrong, I love to be surprised.
Written from the point of view of Elio who is clearly obsessing over our dearest Oliver, it made me feel and think things I never would've dreamt of.
I had to put the book down several times out of (I'm not even sure how to call this feeling) a mixture of secondhand embarrassment and disgust, I think. Never will I see peaches the same way as I did before reading the book. There were some passages that made shake my head, scream at the characters but also laugh. And I loved every second of it. I love it when books make me feel this way or another. And believe me when I tell you that what I felt wasn't innocent. My poor brother next door when I started yelling at the book at 2 in the morning...
Anyway, what also fascinated me was that the characters, let's take Elio's thoughts as the example, thought and acted so raw, humane and uncensored. What would be a taboo for the majority of authors to write like this.

What I didn't like about the plot was the adult-child relationship. Mentally I had the feeling that Elio wasn't 17 but 14/15 and Oliver around 30. In reality they have a 7 year age gap but still, I couldn't get this out of my mind and it stopped me from being happy for both of them many times.

My favourite part was probably when Oliver and Elio went to Rome and on their first evening, they went to this kind of book party. This was so beautiful and reminded me a lot of "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

The fact that time didnt seem to matter at all, was pretty fascinating for me. No matter how late or early it was, there was always something happening. And the people were so open. It was pretty heartwarming.

For example, when they were in Rome and were left alone in the bar because the waiter trusted them. Or when they went to this big market place or whatever it was and they sang and danced with complete strangers.

All in all it's a masterpiece which deserves the five stars, but I didn't give them, because my mind cant deal with the mental ages, the foot fetish and the possible fruit fetish. Sorry André

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coldcojones's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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gabrielleclarke05's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

Wow.. this was gross in multiple parts. Elio compared the peach to a SA victim🧐 I’m glad the film cut out the problematic bits. This book just felt like the author writing down his weird fetishes
The movie overall is better and this book just felt creepy and the author is a self proclaimed pedophile so take that as you will

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alyssadavis's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I suddenly realised that we were on borrowed time, that time is always borrowed, and that the lending agency exacts its premium precisely when we are least prepared to pay and need to borrow more.

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luluslittlelibrary's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad slow-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

0.5

I did not like this book. First, the age gap is really concerning. This book is definitely supposed to be a "first love" story (especially for Elio) but it isn't written correctly for that kind of story. It might have worked better if they were older (and had a smaller age gap) or if they had even a drop of chemistry. There relationship feels very forced and is clearly written by a straight man. The only good thing about this is the author's ability to write a beautiful setting and atmosphere of Italy.

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