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Katrina asked this question about Call Me by Your Name:
Why did Oliver get married? Wasn't he still in love with Elio?
Ten Thousand This story hit me like a ton of bricks, which I think is what we are all connecting to with our own personal stories. I have been playing my own story…moreThis story hit me like a ton of bricks, which I think is what we are all connecting to with our own personal stories. I have been playing my own story over and over again in my own head which had been usually tucked away in the attic of my brain like all the other ghosts who inhabit us.

No one has really mentioned the element of fear which affects all of our decision making. While Elio is apprehensive in the beginning and unsure of himself he has less at stake than Oliver. Oliver as we know is older and fear has a way of weighing in on us as we age. We become more aware of the consequences. Elio and Oliver could have gone on to have a life together. Elio's choice would have certainly been supported by his family. Elio may have been a little afraid but it is Oliver's larger fear that prevented a life of togetherness for them. When we are young we are fearless. Nothing is impossible. And then the world comes in in some way and often crushes and changes our heart. It is when Oliver leaves that Elio's heart is crushed for the first time irreparably changing him forever. It wouldn't be the same if Oliver came back; it would only work if Oliver never leaves in the first place.

Desire and passion ebb and flow. This story is interesting because it reminds us all of a universal heartache that we all experience. If the story had had a happy ending, would it be as beautiful? Yes, but perhaps not as poetic as the ending the author chose. But why? Why couldn't it be just a poetic with Elio and Oliver forever living together? Personally, I would like believe that the parallel version of staying together offers the rest of us hope instead of reminding of us of our own sadness.

And while the book alludes to Oliver's future, we don't really know Elio's future. Who does he become? Who does love? Does he get past Oliver so he can love another? What do you think becomes of Elio?(less)
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Call Me by Your Name
by André Aciman (Goodreads Author)
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