Reviews tagging 'Classism'

De geniale vriendin by Elena Ferrante

25 reviews

lindseyhall44's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

My Brilliant Friend is a highly regarded international treasure, focusing on a female friendship in 1950’s+ Naples. While I cannot relate to Elena (our narrator) in a environmental or physical sense, her connection with Lila embodies so much of my own relationships from adolescents to now. It’s resonance with readers spanning multiple years highlights Ferrante’s brilliant (haha see what I did there) ability to articulate the human experience, many events of which I am still trying to put together with words.
I cannot wait to continue on with the rest of the Neapolitan series, and Ferrante’s backlist in general.
After checking trigger warnings, I would highly highly recommend if you enjoy character based novels!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Mental illness, Murder, and Gaslighting

lindsaccount's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, Alcohol, and Classism

Minor: Gore, Homophobia, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

jessthanthree's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Toxic friendship, and Classism

adeliab's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence

Moderate: Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Murder, and Classism

Minor: Gun violence and Homophobia

kowtherq's review against another edition

adventurous challenging reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

 I loved this!!

To the naked eye, this book might seem a little slow with not much happening throughout it.
On the contrary, so much constantly happens throughout this book. It was gripping from start to finish. It is a book that deals with so many themes, class being an important one. I enjoyed how this book deeply explores the friendship between Elena and Lila in all its complexity throughout childhood and adolescence, and how it was impacted by their different changing lives. This book also deeply speaks to the idea of community and what it means to be a part of one.

As I mentioned, class is a central theme in this book. It isn't sugarcoated either so it is refreshing to see it dealt with in such a real manner. From the disdain of the poorer families towards the rich family to their envy and wanting money, to having to choose between education and family due to money constraints, and even wealth affecting their relationships.

I wasn't planning on picking up the rest of the books in the series, but now I think I will! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault and Classism

Minor: Murder