Call Me By Your Name is a book everyone should read. Why? Because it’s damn beautiful, that’s why.
Before going on, let me debunk a myth for you: no, it’s not just a book about gay sex. Does gay sex happen? Sure. But the premise of the story is much more profound and the writing – oh the writing – is poetic and beautiful.
Just trust me on this one, read the book. Then watch the movie with Timothée Chalamet. THEN read the sequel.
Yep, sequel: Call Me By Your Name is getting a second book.
I have two thoughts about this. Mainly, NO THANK YOU, but also, YES THANK YOU.
Do I want to know more about Elio and Oliver? Hell yes.
Would I love to read more of André Aciman’s beautiful writing? Definitely.
Am I mildly terrified that the sequel will ruin what is a great first novel? Yes. Definitely yes. There’s a reason people say “the sequel is never as good as the original.”
However, a little part of me has faith in Aciman. It’s taken him 12 whole years to write Find Me, which makes me think he’s put a lot of careful thought and planning into the novel.
He’s also a professor which means he’s a smart man – I don’t think (I hope) he would spoil the reputation of Call Me By Your Name with a sub-par sequel.
Speaking with Vogue, Aciman discussed the importance of the sequel.
“Find Me gave me a sense of closure and finality. Of course, life is full of surprises and no road is without bumps or wrong turns. But I think this ends the tale of Elio and Oliver.”
He also discussed the evolved relationship between Elio and Oliver.
“They are clearly more mature now and know how fragile life can be. They have both had other relationships, they know that they have to be careful and that a separation, should it occur again, would be devastating.”
As conflicted as I am about this book, I admit, the plot does sound good.
Find Me begins 10 years after the summer Elio and Oliver shared. The first third of the novel is apparently written from the perspective of Elio’s now-divorced father, Sami, whose lust for life is reignited by a new, younger love. Elio moves to Paris and has a “consequential affair”, while Oliver, a college professor in New England, thinks about returning to Europe. In the final part of the novel, Elio and Oliver reunite once more.
Which means, even if the book does suck, I’ll still finish it all just to read that reunion.
Find Me is set for release on October 29. For more info, check out the offical website here.