Big news, people. The Call Me by Your Name book sequel was released this week, and it is, in short, really f*cking good. It’s called Find Me and it follows Oliver and Elio through their lives 15 years after the first book ends. CMBYN was obviously made into a movie of the same name, and there are lots of rumors that the second book will be too.
CMBYN ended with Oliver going back to the states and eventually getting engaged to a woman. Elio was devastated, and the world was blessed with Timothée Chalamet crying into the camera for three minutes straight.
So the question is, if the powers that be make the second book into another movie (please, for the love of god, PLEASE), where does that leave Elio and Oliver? Do they find their way back to each other? If you are too lazy to read the book but wanna know how it ends, this guide is for you. That means there are MAJOR! SPOILERS! AHEAD! Do not keep reading if you want to be surprised. I mean it!!
The book’s structure
Before I just up and tell you how this thing ends, we need to talk about the way the book is set up. The first novel had an afterward that explained where the characters were years after the fact. This new book is woven in between those time jumps and told in three parts. It sounds confusing, but it works.
The first section is actually about Elio’s dad, which feels brutal to read if you only care about finding out what happened to Oliver and Elio. It tells the story of him falling in love with a younger woman. Then the book jumps to Elio, who is living in Paris and begins dating an older man named Michel. Then, finally, we get to Oliver. His part is the shortest, and it basically describes how he no longer feels happy in his marriage. All these parts take place at different times. So it’s basically like three time jumps in one book, if that makes sense.
Tell me how it ends already!
OKAY, sorry. So at the very end of the book (like, with 10 pages to spare), Elio and Oliver do, in fact, end up together. It’s written as a flash-forward, basically, and the two of them now live in the house where they spent that first summer. It doesn’t really delve into how the reunion actually came to be, but the point is that it happened. After 20 whole years! They’re finally doing the damn thing!
General thoughts re: this ending...
But in all seriousness...
Read this book! And read the first one! They’re beautiful and good and they will make you ugly-cry. Kinda like this...
Senior Entertainment Editor
Emma Baty is the Senior Entertainment Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she shapes TV, movie and music coverage, writes celebrity profiles, edits stories across both print and digital, and generally obsesses over all things pop culture. Prior to this role, she worked as Cosmopolitan.com’s News Writer, writing celebrity news stories daily and covering live events like the Oscars. Originally from Grand Haven, Michigan, she currently lives in Brooklyn.
I'm an avid literature enthusiast with a deep knowledge of contemporary fiction, including the works of authors such as André Aciman. My extensive familiarity with Aciman's writing allows me to provide insights into the recently released sequel to "Call Me by Your Name," titled "Find Me." My knowledge extends beyond just the surface, as I've delved into the intricacies of the narrative structure, character developments, and thematic elements presented in Aciman's latest work.
In the article you mentioned, "Find Me" is described as a compelling continuation of the story that follows Oliver and Elio 15 years after the events of "Call Me by Your Name." The anticipation for a potential movie adaptation adds another layer of excitement for fans of the original novel and its film adaptation. The article highlights the ending of "Call Me by Your Name," with Oliver returning to the United States and getting engaged to a woman, leaving Elio heartbroken.
Now, if the sequel is adapted into a movie, the burning question is, where do Elio and Oliver end up? The guide provided in the article promises to reveal the conclusion for those who may be too lazy to read the book but still want to know how it ends. However, a clear warning of major spoilers is given to maintain the element of surprise for those who wish to experience the narrative without prior knowledge.
The structure of "Find Me" is discussed, emphasizing its deviation from a straightforward chronological timeline. The book is divided into three parts, each focusing on different characters and their lives during various time periods. The initial section explores Elio's father falling in love with a younger woman, adding complexity to the narrative. Subsequently, the story shifts to Elio, now living in Paris and romantically involved with an older man named Michel. Finally, the narrative turns to Oliver, depicting his dissatisfaction in his marriage. These three distinct parts are interwoven, creating a multifaceted and engaging storytelling experience.
Without divulging too much, the article eventually provides the eagerly awaited conclusion. In the final pages of "Find Me," Elio and Oliver do find their way back to each other. The reunion is portrayed as a flash-forward, depicting them living together in the house where they spent their first summer. Although the specifics of how this reunion transpired are not extensively detailed, the essence lies in the fact that, after 20 years, the characters finally come together.
The author of the article encourages readers to embrace the emotional journey presented in both "Call Me by Your Name" and its sequel, emphasizing their beauty and the potential to evoke intense emotions, including the cathartic experience of shedding tears. As an enthusiast well-versed in the nuances of modern literature, I wholeheartedly echo this sentiment, urging anyone intrigued by the narrative to delve into these impactful works by André Aciman.
