Call Me By Your Name - The truth lies...

[Gregg]

There are many gems in Aciman's prose, but this one is particularly stunning. On page 49, Elio says while trying to make sense of his feelings for Oliver: "If there is any truth in the world, it lies when I'm with you, and if I find the courage to speak my truth to you one day..." The obvious double meaning of the verb 'lie' and its juxtaposition with the word 'truth' (truth lies) makes, this one of those gems.

So my questions for discussion are: Do you read this as whatever truth Elio has found is a lie because of his newly discovered attraction to Oliver or, the truth that Elio is seeking lies within Oliver?

What are your thoughts?

[Romesh]

I have observed, when someone is in love/smitten, whatever you want to call it, they don't want to admit, listen, hear what is the truth. In your quote, I think Elio is thinking whatever the truth is (maybe Oliver's girl friend or the end of their time capsuled relationship), for Elio, when he is with Oliver, Elio wants the truth in the world to lie.... This could be because Elio has chosen Oliver and Elio is soo intensely focused on Oliver, really nothing matters, truest or lies.