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A passionate and lyrical love story set in 1980s Italy, exploring desire, intimacy, and the fleeting nature of first love. Seventeen-year-old Elio spends a sun-drenched summer at his family’s villa in the Italian Riviera, where he develops an intense relationship with Oliver, a charming American scholar staying with them. As their bond deepens into a forbidden romance, they navigate heartache, longing, and the bittersweet beauty of a love that may not last.
"This book ruined me in the best way. Aciman’s writing is like liquid gold—every sentence aches with beauty. Elio’s voice felt so raw and real; I’ve never read a love story this visceral."
"The tension between Elio and Oliver is ELECTRIC. The peach scene? Controversial, but it captures the messy, taboo nature of desire perfectly. Not for the faint-hearted."
"4 stars because the pacing dragged at times, but the last 50 pages WRECKED me. That final monologue about grief and time? I sobbed."
"Beautiful writing, but I couldn’t connect with the characters. Oliver felt distant, and Elio’s introspection got repetitive. Preferred the movie’s tighter narrative."
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