Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - De geniale vriendin

I can understand the hype and I don't think it's undeserved. I enjoyed this book to some extent, but I felt asphyxiated for the most part. The obsession of Elena for her firend is so strong it felt claustrophobic, especially since the first person point of view locks us up in her head. The story doesn't pull any punches regarding the violence in Naples, the domestic violence, the violence of poverty. It's a harsh story, filled, also, with all the seemingly univeral insecurities of a girl growing up. The skillful writing made all of this hit very hard.

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sara_ramelb's review against another edition

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emotional funny tense medium-paced

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

4.0

A powerful retelling that reminded me of what it was to be a young girl with a brilliant friend, somehow still ringing true across an ocean and a century.

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friendly_neighborhood_grandma's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

It felt very realistic and maybe therefor a bit underwhelming with all the hype around it. Read it if you want atmospherical poor napolitan neighborhood vibes, girlhood and the life of people that usually get glossed over.

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carojust's review against another edition

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challenging hopeful reflective slow-paced

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

3.75

We're introduced to childhood friends Elena and Lila, growing up near Naples. Their relationship illustrates so much of what we endure in adolescence -- a competitiveness, inferiority, envy, awkwardness, a desperation to feel understood. And with all these feelings, Elena looks upon Lila with such purity of love and admiration. She is shaped by her friend's ideals and interests, and has a hard time finding her own identity beyond Lila's. Together, they try to navigate their difficult families, poverty, and the affections of boys.

This book drew me in slowly. Ferrante has incredibly dense prose, yet succinct. She describes her own character's writing this way, and its charm is inescapable. It takes so long to read, but you feel at home with the characters and cadence.

I wouldn't say this is a book where much happens, though it covers many years in their lives; there are repetitive themes and relationships that emphasize the rural, everyday life these characters trudge through. I think there's still a lot of subtle meanings I haven't picked up on, and need to sit with. But what I'm left with is a feeling of admiration for these two girls, who set their own standards high amidst a time and environment set against them.

Will continue reading the rest of the quartet and see how this goes!

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