I have known the author of this book for many years. I am familiar with his background, and partially I am familiar with his family's as well. In a nutshell, the character of Elio depicts the author himself and Elio's family depicts the author's family. I always thought it was a good idea that Ernesto/Elio write this novel. Not only for psychoanalytic self-therapeutical reasons that, seemingly, would have worked as well. It was a good idea because the storyline is gripping, unsettling and mysterious. In a word, the story is interesting.