CALL ME BY YOUR NAME

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗠𝗲 𝗕𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲
𝗕𝘆 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗻
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿: 𝗔𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀
𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: 𝟐𝟓𝟔
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱: 𝟏𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟖
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: 𝗟𝗚𝗕𝗧𝗤, 𝗕𝗼𝘆 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀
𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿: 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓









Call Me By Your Name transports readers to an Italian summer in the 1980s, centering on the introspective seventeen-year-old Elio and his intense, complicated connection with Oliver, a visiting 24-year-old American philosophy student. Their dynamic begins with languid, almost aimless encounters and gradually escalates into what the author characterizes as emotional intimacy, often expressed through unconventional and sometimes provocative symbolism.

While I understand the widespread acclaim this novel has received, it regrettably did not resonate with me. As someone who enjoys queer fiction, I was hopeful, but I found myself struggling to connect with the narrative. The prose, though eloquent, felt overly intellectual and emotionally distant, which created a barrier between me and the characters. There was an excess of introspection and not enough immersive interaction between Elio and Oliver. I longed for more vivid scenes that allowed their relationship to unfold naturally in the present rather than being filtered so heavily through Elio’s inner monologue.
Character development was another challenge. While Elio was the protagonist, he didn't seem believable to me. His actions, thoughts, and emotional responses often felt implausible, bordering on performative rather than authentic. As a result, I found it hard to invest in his journey. Certain scenes, particularly those intended to be bold or sensual, veered into the uncomfortable and, to me, felt more disturbing than meaningful.
To be clear, I do not consider this to be a love story in the traditional sense. It is a narrative-driven by infatuation, desire, and youthful obsession. Elio's near-immediate fixation on Oliver—his idolization and obsessive thoughts—forms a relationship dynamic that is far from romantic. It is one of control, longing, and intensity, but not of emotional maturity or mutual growth. From that perspective, it becomes easier to accept the book for what it may be: an exploration of adolescent desire and identity rather than an idealized romance.

Overall, Call Me by Your Name may appeal to those who enjoy introspective, symbolic prose and can relate to the complex emotional entanglements it explores. Unfortunately, I found it emotionally inaccessible and, at times, uncomfortably exaggerated. For me, the story lacked the depth and realism required to truly move or convince, leaving me detached rather than engaged.

My Rating:

3/5

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