Cecily’s review of Call Me by Your Name > Likes and Comments

Enjoy, Cecily! :)

Thanks. (But don't hold your breath.)

Cecily wrote: "Thanks. (But don't hold your breath.)"

LOL I won't.

Beautiful review, Cecily!

Just the magnificent review this poignant and breathtaking book deserves!

Antoinette wrote: "Beautiful review, Cecily!"

Thanks, Antoinette. It's a beautiful book. Inspirational and delicate.

Joshie wrote: "Just the magnificent review this poignant and breathtaking book deserves!"

Thank you, Joshie. I could say the same about your own review. In fact, I have! (Plus a bit.)

Lovely review Mrs! Exquisite, intimate, poignant, non-gay romance. Sounds almost my kinda thing (not sure about those peaches and formative experiences in Thailand, I don't think I've had that yet).

So glad the novel touched a chord with you too, Cecily. Beautiful and wise and tender review. The novel was special to me too, in fact after some months after reading I still am thinking of it, and how honest it felt, and how true and intimate it was. That heady combination of youth and innocence, desire and Italian summer was perfectly rendered.

Apatt wrote: "Lovely review Mrs! Exquisite, intimate, poignant, non-gay romance. Sounds almost my kinda thing (not sure about those peaches)."

Thanks, Mr. The main scene with the peaches wouldn't be to everyone's taste. Literally.

Cecily wrote: "Apatt wrote: "Lovely review Mrs! Exquisite, intimate, poignant, non-gay romance. Sounds almost my kinda thing (not sure about those peaches)."

Thanks, Mr. The main scene with the peaches wouldn't ..."

If it was satsumas it probbaly would have been OK. Not sure about those formative experiences in Thailand though 🤣

Agnieszka wrote: "So glad the novel touched a chord with you too, Cecily. Beautiful and wise and tender review. The novel was special to me too..."

As I've just seen from your beautiful and apposite review. Thank you, Agniseszka.

A very reflective review that breaks down possible stereotypes revolving around this novel. I recently read Written on the Body, which overlaps in certain aspects of your thoughts, but I have the feeling I'd enjoy this book much more. Tempting review, Cecily... I will have to get a copy of this...

Dolors wrote: "A very reflective review that breaks down possible stereotypes revolving around this novel...."

Thanks, Dolors. I'm sure you'd appreciate the beauty and insight this novel exudes.

Dolors wrote: "I recently read Written on the Body, which overlaps in certain aspects of your thoughts..."

That's been near the top of my TBR for ages. I want to read it before or after rereading Orlando. Maybe in the summer.

Wow. Cecily. So much richness here. I can't begin to absorb your review or to do your review justice with a comment. I'm not sure what I am going to say is even relevant or contributes to the discussion. Yet, your review evokes my reading experience of "Go Tell it On the Mountain" and "Giovanni's Room." I don't think that the critical role of shame in forming our identities, especially--our sexual identities-- has been adequately studied by experts. Shame is what I think of when we talk about the contradiction: please don't hurt me--please hurt me. Does the interaction between shame and desire (especially those considered shameful) make us pain sluts? I believe there is some unknown correlation between shame and "wiring," sorry if that term is objectionable, but it is hard enough to make a significant comment without rewiring my vocabulary to reflect the openness to all people that already exists in my heart. I appreciate your opening comments about self-knowledge. If only I could have had my current self-knowledge when I was the age of this young character. The heartache I could have avoided! Yet, even the self-awareness I have now is also shaped by the tortured and mistake-ridden past. Chicken and egg. Not only might a self not be written for a single instrument, but perhaps multiple selves and multiple instruments might be required to become self-aware on any significant level because different facets of us are challenged by different people. Endless permutations, like numbers. Moreover, to the extent that I have self-awareness now, after decades of trial and error and the influence of other instruments, whatever I grasp today is still primitive and speculative--like medicine in Ancient Greece. I think that the concept of "self" is fluid and primitive. May all our rivers flow freely to a single sea where we become whole.

Bishop wrote: "Wow. Cecily. So much richness here. I can't begin to absorb your review or to do your review justice with a comment. I'm not sure what I am going to say is even relevant or contributes..."

Wow, Bishop. So much generous richness in your comment. Thank you. Given the breadth and depth of your comment on a second-hand encounter with Elio and Oliver, I think you should consider reading the book. Your thoughts on shame, pain, wiring, and multiplicity have many echoes. (I'm afraid I've yet to read any James Baldwin, though he's on my radar from glowing reviews by friends.)

The recurring mention of shame might be expected to jar: I don't think there is anything shameful about sexual attraction to someone of the same sex, and it's clear Elio's family are not prudish, let alone homophobic. His fleeting feelings of shame are far more complex and interesting.

I love your image of flowing into a single sea where we become whole. Spirituality for the unbelievers?

So much sensuality, Cecily. Both the book and the review. The theme of passion and discovery here seem so universal that I am almost afraid to read it for what it could make me feel, but have tentatively accepted that I eventually will. Perhaps on one of those quiet, mellow weekends with just me and my own thoughts.

And, if I may say, on a lighter reflection, that I have never encountered anyone describing their feelings as “Intoxicated rapture” and “The twisted skein of desire”! Who actually thinks that?

Alfred wrote: "So much sensuality, Cecily. Both the book and the review. The theme of passion and discovery here seem so universal that I am almost afraid to read it..."

I think I know what you mean. You need to be in the right mood, as is the case with any worthwhile book, but I hope you find that mood.

Alfred wrote: "I have never encountered anyone describing their feelings as “Intoxicated rapture” and “The twisted skein of desire”! Who actually thinks that?"

A precocious, bookish teenager who's grown up with a prof as a father, and without TV? In context, I didn't find it outlandish.

Cecily wrote: "A precocious, bookish teenager who's grown up with a prof as a father, and without TV? "

Given that context, not outlandish at all.

Will you be reading more from Aciman?

Alfred wrote: "Will you be reading more from Aciman?"

Probably: this was 5* for me and it was his first novel! But I'm not sure which or when.

A wonderful, nuanced review, Cecily. I had been put off this book by some not-so-stellar reviews. Now I'm wondering if I need to pick this up after all...

Robin wrote: "A wonderful, nuanced review, Cecily. I had been put off this book by some not-so-stellar reviews. Now I'm wondering if I need to pick this up after all..."

Thank you, Robin. It is a very slow and introspective book, but as long as you pick a time when that's what you're looking for, you should be free to immerse yourself in the beautiful angst of it.

As for other people's reviews, I read some a while ago, which is how I became aware of it in the first place, then added to by publicity for the film. But those must have been good reviews for me to add it. I've not looked at other reviews yet, other than those who've commented above. I'll prepare myself for negative ones, though polite disagreement is often instructive, I find.

Cecily wrote: "Probably: this was 5* for me and it was his first novel! But I'm not sure which or when."

Have you watched the movie? It was all the rage at the most recent awards season, though I was indifferent at that time. That the book sounded so good, I feel curious about the show now.

Fabulous review and so well organized thematically, Cecily. I can identify with that segment on Hiders. That fortune cookie says something uncharacteristically profound. Love it. :-)

Alfred wrote: "Have you watched the movie? ..."

Not yet, but I want to. I avoided it when it was released because I wanted to read the book first, and of course, now it's not on in cinemas.

Laysee wrote: "Fabulous review and so well organized thematically, Cecily. I can identify with that segment on Hiders. That fortune cookie says something uncharacteristically profound. Love it. :-)"

Thanks, Laysee, fellow hider.

One's so used to fortune cookies being weird or vague or funny, it's quite a surprise to hear of one that has more to it.

I think you'd enjoy the writing style of this book, but I'm less sure if you'd enjoy the story.

I loved the melancholy of the book and your review is poignant, Cecily! I hope I will have the chance to watch the movie. I read 'Harvard Square' by the same author and loved it almost as much as I did this one. Beautiful review...

Beautifully written review, Cecily! This sounds like an amazing novel.

I am just glad to see you, too, loved this book, Cecily. I simply fell in love with it in a way I hadn't in a long, long time - the ache crushed me and the love redeemed me. It didn't matter who experienced what in this book; the emotions were felt by all main characters and yet, under their different responses, ran an undeniably similar current. You brought out some beautiful elements of this work - identity, exploration, consent - and took me back on a nostalgic trip. Thank you.

Jasmine wrote: "I loved the melancholy of the book and your review is poignant, Cecily! I hope I will have the chance to watch the movie. I read 'Harvard Square' by the same author and loved it almost as much..."

I'm happy to see you loved the book - and that I'm not the only one who has yet to see the film. Best of all, that you rate another book by him as highly. Joy. Thanks, Jasmine.

Jaline wrote: "Beautifully written review, Cecily! This sounds like an amazing novel."

Thank you, Jaline. It was - for me. There is much to love and admire, but it won't be to everyone's taste: it is slow and introspective.

Sharyl wrote: "Gorgeous review, Cecily. I thought that the movie was beautifully, done, but obviously, there is much more to this, as usual. This belongs on my list!"

Does the film narrate adult Elio's inner monologue? If it does, it's an achievement not to make it crass, and if it doesn't, it's an achievement to convey even a fraction of what the book is about. The widespread acclaim is reassuring. Thanks, Sharyl.

Seemita wrote: "I am just glad to see you, too, loved this book, Cecily...."

Ditto, Seemita.

Seemita wrote: "the ache crushed me and the love redeemed me. It didn't matter who experienced what in this book; the emotions were felt by all main characters..."

Beautifully put - and your own review.

Elyse wrote: "Oh my....INCREDIBLE!
Cecily..... your review on this book is so so wonderful so beautiful. You ALWAYS write well... but this review that you wrote is one of my favorites! ..."

Thank you so much, Elyse. I'm happy we share such passion for this book. And I'm pleased your resolution to cut back on reviewing, in length if not number, has not happened.

The best review Cecily I have seen on this wonderful book, certainly better than my own. Your thoughts about the meaning of the reading life I will hold as biblical.

I too did not like=couldn't stomach the film. I watched it right after reading the book but found myself thinking about the book-Oh yeah that was in the book and so was that- I didn't feel that I could experience the movie fresh, unto itself. It's more possible though that the movie was just a flat facsimile and I would feel this way anytime viewing it.

Thanks for a great and skilled review.

Stephen wrote: "The best review Cecily I have seen on this wonderful book, certainly better than my own. Your thoughts about the meaning of the reading life I will hold as biblical...."

Thank you. You're very kind. However, your own has given ME great pause for thought. And that's why we're here on GR.

Yes, "a flat facsimile" is a good summation of the film.

I've read this, and checked the film out of the library, but didn't watch it. I don't know why. Read the story, loved it, but I just couldn't see how it would work on film. And, about Brokeback Mountain, I saw the film before reading it, then watched the film again...the film was way too long and lost much of the power of Proulx's short work.

Greg wrote: "...Read the story, loved it, but I just couldn't see how it would work on film..."

I assumed it could, in part because of other fans of the book who thought it did. But not for me.

Greg wrote: "And, about Brokeback Mountain, I saw the film before reading it, then watched the film again...the film was way too long and lost much of the power of Proulx's short work."

I saw then that way round too, but loved both.

Different responses are invariably interesting.

Cecily wrote: "Greg wrote: "...Read the story, loved it, but I just couldn't see how it would work on film..."

I assumed it could, in part because of other fans of the book who thought it did. But not for me.

I read this author's "Enigma Variations" and isn't "Call Me By Your Name" a short within "Enigma"? I've read "Call Me..." somewhere.

Greg wrote: "I read this author's "Enigma Variations" and isn't "Call Me By Your Name" a short within "Enigma"?"

This is not especially short. My edition is nearly 250 pages, which is only two dozen less than Enigma Variations (which I've not read), so I don't think it's a part of that, but perhaps there's a small section of that which has this title?

Cecily wrote: "Greg wrote: "I read this author's "Enigma Variations" and isn't "Call Me By Your Name" a short within "Enigma"?"

This is not especially short. My edition is nearly 250 pages, which is only two doz..."

I've only read one work by this author. I think "Enigma" opens with a short version of "Call Me..." I'll check around. When I saw the movie trailer, I realized I knew the story, had read it. (I think I'll go ahead and watch the film after all...

Reading this now, it's good, but I find that I can only take young love - and so much feeling! - in small doses.

Alfred wrote: "Reading this now, it's good, but I find that I can only take young love - and so much feeling! - in small doses."

Just as well this isn't a long book, then! Mind you, there's more lust and passion and questioning than actual love. Plenty of feeling, though.

What a lovely review, Cecily.

Suzanne wrote: "What a lovely review, Cecily."

Thanks, Suzanne. I was thrilled to read your enthusiastic review and comments on it (and thanks for the name drop).

Great review!

Now that I'm done, I so wish to hear from Oliver's perspective.
Somehow, and I'm processing this through, I can't help thinking (view spoiler)[ how manipulative Elio is! He orchestrated all the events leading to reciprocity of feelings, or at least, created the optimal environment for it (hide spoiler)].

Lovely writing. Agree the setting contributed greatly to the atmosphere.

Carmen wrote: "Great review!"

Thanks, Carmen. Very different from your own, excellent review!

Alfred wrote: "Now that I'm done, I so wish to hear from Oliver's perspective..."

We sort of do, at the end. Not so much his perspective, but his circumstances. I thought that a rather odd switch.

As for your spoiler, that never occurred to me, and even now you mention it, I'm not sure I can see it that way. I'll bear it in mind if I reread.

Cecily wrote: "Carmen wrote: "Great review!"

Thanks, Carmen. Very different from your own, excellent review!"

Aw, thanks. :)