Call Me by Your Name

Call Me by Your Name takes place during a summer in 1980s Northern Italy, where 17-year-old Elio lives with his academic parents in their villa. The story centers on Elio's relationship with Oliver, an American scholar who comes to stay with the family while working on his manuscript. The book chronicles the development of their connection over six weeks, set against the backdrop of lazy Mediterranean summer days, intellectual discourse, and family meals. Their mutual attraction grows through small moments and subtle interactions, influenced by their shared Jewish heritage and passion for music, literature, and philosophy. Through Elio's first-person narration, the story captures the intensity of first love and sexual awakening in a specific time and place. The narrative follows the evolution of their relationship and its impact on both characters, as well as Elio's parallel connections with others in his life. The novel explores universal themes of identity, desire, and the transformative nature of profound connections. It is a meditation on time, memory, and the lasting impact of formative experiences.

Readers describe the book as an intense portrayal of first love and desire, with poetic prose that captures the heat and languor of an Italian summer. Many comment on Aciman's ability to convey complex emotions through internal monologue. Readers appreciated: - Rich, lyrical writing style - Authentic depiction of obsessive young love - Vivid Italian setting - Complex character psychology - Honest exploration of sexuality Common criticisms: - Overly verbose passages - Too much internal reflection - Slow pacing in middle sections - Some found Elio's voice pretentious - Explicit content made some readers uncomfortable Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (320,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (7,000+ ratings) "The prose is intoxicating" appears frequently in positive reviews. Critical reviews often note "too much navel-gazing" and "could have been shorter." Several readers mention skimming certain philosophical passages while still enjoying the core story.

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On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong A Vietnamese-American son writes letters to his mother about his first love with another boy, weaving together themes of family, trauma, and cultural identity.

Maurice by E. M. Forster Set in early 20th century England, this coming-of-age narrative follows a young man's journey to self-acceptance through forbidden relationships during a repressive era.

The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith, nom de plume Two women navigate their developing relationship amid 1950s social constraints, featuring the same sense of longing and forbidden desire.

Swimming in the Dark by Tomasz Jędrowski A university student and a young man meet in 1980s Poland, developing a relationship against the backdrop of political upheaval and social restrictions.

🌟 The novel was written in just three months during a period when Aciman was procrastinating on another writing project. 🎬 The 2017 film adaptation won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, making James Ivory the oldest Oscar winner in history at age 89. 🌍 Though set in Italy, André Aciman had never visited the specific region described in the book when he wrote it. He based the descriptions on other Italian locations he knew. 📚 The book's title comes from a tender moment between the characters and is inspired by ancient lovers' practice of exchanging names to symbolize their unity. 🎨 Many of the art historical references in the book reflect Aciman's own academic background as a scholar of comparative literature at City University of New York.