Be Charmed by These Bewitching Books from 2025
Katrina asked this question about Call Me by Your Name:
Why did Oliver get married? Wasn't he still in love with Elio?
Marc What stood in the way of Oliver riding off into the sunset with his prize, Elio?  Why would Oliver marry when Elio was in his heart, his cor cordium? …moreWhat stood in the way of Oliver riding off into the sunset with his prize, Elio?  Why would Oliver marry when Elio was in his heart, his cor cordium?   Was Elio just too young to fit in Oliver’s life?  Was it the times, how difficult for men trying to pair off, especially compounded by the appearance of being with someone so young.  Even Oliver admitted he would have been sent away by his parents if at 17 years Oliver had been the one to be involved with a man   I question if fair to expect Oliver to entertain a scenario where he and Elio could carry on past six weeks.   How lucky for Elio and Oliver that Elio's parents behaved how they did!   But the way society was back then, and the idea that Oliver already had a long time girlfriend easing in and out of his life, one might not be surprised Oliver went with the safe, traditional choice.  Perhaps the traditional family was his preference anyway.  Oliver is not the first bisexual man that gave up a love like Elio in favor of traditional marriage.  Perhaps he preferred women more than men or as much as men.  We don’t know.    We must know Oliver was in love with Elio, very much so.  Their last night together, Elio wanted to take that girl back to the room where I expect Elio wanted to have a threesome, but Oliver did not allow it.  He did not want to share those last moments with his beloved Elio.  

In the beginning of the story, Elio admitted "if not later when was my shibboleth”.  I took that to mean Elio was looking back, that there could have been a “later” if only he had tried harder.  But how can a teenage boy accomplish much in that regard.  Looking back, Elio seemed to recognize he lost the opportunity to at least try.  But if he had somehow tried, would Oliver have acquiesced?   During the Christmas following their summer together, it seemed Oliver would not.  The chapter with Elio was finished.  His time to marry had come.
(less)
flag
More questions about Call Me by Your Name…
Image for Call Me by Your Name
Call Me by Your Name
by André Aciman (Goodreads Author)
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more