Elio, a seventeen-year-old Italian boy, explores his sexuality when meeting an American, twenty-four-year-old man, Oliver, who is staying at Elio's house in Italy for the summer. The book will make you root for the characters to fall in love. André Aciman's portrayal of emotions through Elio's perspective, as the narrator, makes the book more relatable to young readers. However, I was concerned about the seven-year age gap between the two lovers. The book shows how homosexuality was closeted in the 1980's. The author accurately displays the reality of a summer fling, unlike Casey McQuiston, author of Red, White, and Royal Blue, which portrays homosexual young love as a royal fairytale. After reading Call Me By Your Name, I felt less alone in discovering my sexuality and learned the path to find love is long and winding. This book is captivating; André Aciman shows the best and worst parts of a relationship and takes your heart on an emotional rollercoaster. Do not forget to bring a tissue box because this book will make you cry.
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