How do you believe the past and present intertwine throughout the novel, and what are the consequences? By the end of the book, have the lives of the deceased been extended into the present, and if so, how?

Miranda's father says, 'I want those who outlive me to extend my life, not just to remember it.' Michel tells Elio, 'Nothing belongs to the past.' How do you believe the past and present intertwine throughout the novel, and what are the consequences? By the end of the book, have the lives of the deceased been extended into the present, and if so, how? Why do you think Elio feels that his half brother is his and Oliver's child, and that his father 'knew it just as well, had known it all along?'

I did find the characters to be confusing. I was having difficulty understanding who was who. Many authors use this way of relating their stories and I don't think Aciman did a particularly good job.

Each character shared stories of their parents before them in some way...each of them was an extension of their fathers, it seemed like the relationship between father and son was very meaningful to the characters in the novel. And Ollie seemed like an extension of both Samuel, Elio, and Oliver

The characters mentioned their lost ones, thereby extending the loves of those deceased.