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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?
Lihsa It isn't clear to me when this book took place--there are some pop culture references when describing music like the Thompson Twins. If it is set, as …moreIt isn't clear to me when this book took place--there are some pop culture references when describing music like the Thompson Twins. If it is set, as it is presented in the movie, set in the late 70s and early 80s, homosexuality was still considered taboo. Very few men and women were beginning to declare themselves. Bear in mind that Ellen DeGeneres didn't come out until the 90s and it nearly ruined her career.

To be successful in society in the 70s and 80s, many men and women remained closeted and donned the cloak of marriage.

Today, too many take the LGBT+ openness for granted and forget the terrible fear many homosexuals held and had around their desires and passions.

To me, the underpinning of the book is Oliver's struggle to fight his desire because Elio is 1) male, 2) too young, 3) the son of his boss, 4) in defiance of Oliver's Jewish religion, 5) stirring cultural taboos.

Elio is so open with his youthful, desirous innocence. He has far less baggage. His passions and desires are so strong that he becomes reckless and wanton.

For Oliver to marry is not unexpected because he is fighting too many oppressions.

It makes me wonder what this same story would have been from Oliver's point of view.(less)
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Call Me by Your Name
by André Aciman (Goodreads Author)
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