Call Me By Your Name - André Aciman
“I stopped for a second. If you remember everything, I wanted to say, and if you are really like me, then before you leave tomorrow, or when you’re just ready to shut the door of the taxi and have already said goodbye to everyone else and there’s not a thing left to say in this life, then, just this once, turn to me, even in jest, or as an afterthought, which would have meant everything to me when we were together, and, as you did back then, look me in the face, hold my gaze, and call me by your name.”
This book was a rollercoaster. I found the first part to be quite slow, but after that it just took off and I got sucked in. It had some weird ass parts here and there (I'll never look at peaches the same way ever again), but let's face it, the above quote makes up for all of them. This book is so beautifully written, and while I have to admit it took me some time to get used to the style, involving me going back several times to reread a sentence or two to make sure I got it right, it just flows smoothly, beautifully.
I had trouble focusing, as I was reading the ebook, on my laptop, so I downloaded the audiobook, narrated by Armie Hammer, who plays Oliver in the movie (which I haven't seen yet, but can't wait for even less now), to read along with. I can't say I would have been able to get through it this fast, or at all, without it, but honestly.. this audiobook has been recommended to me by so many of my friends, to start with, give audiobooks a try, so I had high hopes, but instead I didn't think it was all that good at all. Maybe audiobooks just aren't for me, but his inflection seemed off most of the time, and there was no way to discern who was talking, or if anyone was talking at all. Not to mention the changes between the audio and the ebook, though I only noticed because I was reading along of course. He does have a really nice voice, though.
I was quite scared of this book. So many had told me how much they loved it, the movie is nominated for best picture at the Oscars, but there are also people who are firmly against this book due to the to them abusive relationship, because of their age difference, so I was scared to find myself on their side after having defended the people who love this book and story. All I could think while reading the book, though, was that Elio is the more manipulative and messed up of the two of them. This book is from his POV, and I have to admit that at times I was seriously questioning his sanity, and Aciman's in turn. But, having him not be perfect is what really drew me to him. I had a bit of a harder time warming to Oliver, but I think that was quite the idea. I wouldn't say this is an abusive story, though, I have to admit that there are parts that screamed a bit dubcon to me. I'm not normally someone who wants to reread the same story from a different POV, but I have to admit I'd love to read this story from Oliver's view, to see how he experienced everything.
The ending is very bittersweet, and the last passage (which I'd read before, the only context the ship it had been connected to) just made me cry. So beautiful, yet so heartbreaking. You can't help but root for these two, to end up together, somehow. Be happy, in the lives they both wished they could have had.
I've only just now finished it, and I feel like I've missed so much, as if whole parts have slipped through my fingers, not properly taken in. I can't fully grasp this book, except for the strong feeling that I really want to read it again. I have the feeling this will be a book I'll come back to over and over again, only to find new things each time, loving it a bit more with every time I read that final passage. And isn't that just the thing we all look for in a book?
This book was recommended to my by one of my best friends in the world: @metaphysicalmetaphors <3
ellievsbear
snowghoul
stormborns
dededos
titsay
prguitarman
baratheonpilled
kianamaiart
gummygunk
2087
janainaart
