A review by aysha_fm
Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman
4.0
The first two chapters of this book were mediocre to me. I thought it was a bit creepy and unnatural how they got together, and also incredibly slow.
During the third chapter, the one about San Clemente, this relationship became so real and believable to me, and I absolutely adore the metaphor of the basilica to represent the impact that this time had on the lives of Elio and Oliver. Plus, the way that their future meetings - first in the US and then in Italy again - were handled was absolutely gorgeous. From “Cor cordium, heart of hearts, I’ve never said anything truer in my life to anyone” (pg 242) until the end of the novel I was crying. Especially when Elio was describing the imagery of house as Oliver’s ghost spot. There are so many other bittersweet, nostalgic and emotional moments that make this last chapter hit incredibly hard, and ultimately redeem this book for me.
During the third chapter, the one about San Clemente, this relationship became so real and believable to me, and I absolutely adore the metaphor of the basilica to represent the impact that this time had on the lives of Elio and Oliver. Plus, the way that their future meetings - first in the US and then in Italy again - were handled was absolutely gorgeous. From “Cor cordium, heart of hearts, I’ve never said anything truer in my life to anyone” (pg 242) until the end of the novel I was crying. Especially when Elio was describing the imagery of house as Oliver’s ghost spot. There are so many other bittersweet, nostalgic and emotional moments that make this last chapter hit incredibly hard, and ultimately redeem this book for me.