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filipateodoro's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Violence
dafni's review against another edition
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexism and Gaslighting
danidamico's review against another edition
3.5
(Solamente voy a referirme a la versión traducida al inglés)
My Brilliant Friend fue una de mis lecturas más anticipadas durante un par de años; siempre incluía al libro en mi lista de pendientes para leer. Todos parecen amar esta novela (y tetralogía) de Ferrante, por eso siento que hay algo que me perdí, ya que no sentí lo mismo. El libro me gustó, lo leí en pocos días de principio a fin porque evidentemente logró captar mi interés, pero no me conmovió como esperaba. Para amar un libro necesito que me conmueva, que me haga llorar o reír, que me impacte de algún modo, que me incomode. Que me haga sentir algo. Lamentablemente en este caso el estilo narrativo impidió que conectara con lo que iba pasando en el relato, no sé si es culpa de la traducción, pero la escritura me pareció torpe, dura, poco evocativa. Todo el tiempo sentía que estaba leyendo una traducción, cosa que, en mi opinión, no debería pasar si el texto fluye. Por eso es que, si bien me enganché con las vidas de Lenu y Lila, no llegué a formar un vínculo emocional.
Sí me gustó la forma en la que Ferrante aborda el clasismo, la diferencia entre clases sociales y todo lo que eso genera, también el progreso repentino que surgió en Italia después de la Segunda Guerra. Se abordan varios temas que me interesan muchísimo, cómo la violencia contra las mujeres en una sociedad tan machista. En fin, creí que iba a volverme loca con este libro, parecía tener todos los elementos necesarios para atraparme, sin embargo el tono, el estilo narrativo, la traducción (?) impidieron que realmente conectara. No voy a seguir con la tetralogía, tengo demasiados libros pendientes y siento que no vale la pena continuar con esta saga; lo que sí probablemente haga en algún momento es mirar la serie de HBO, creo que eso me engancharía mucho más.
My Brilliant Friend fue una de mis lecturas más anticipadas durante un par de años; siempre incluía al libro en mi lista de pendientes para leer. Todos parecen amar esta novela (y tetralogía) de Ferrante, por eso siento que hay algo que me perdí, ya que no sentí lo mismo. El libro me gustó, lo leí en pocos días de principio a fin porque evidentemente logró captar mi interés, pero no me conmovió como esperaba. Para amar un libro necesito que me conmueva, que me haga llorar o reír, que me impacte de algún modo, que me incomode. Que me haga sentir algo. Lamentablemente en este caso el estilo narrativo impidió que conectara con lo que iba pasando en el relato, no sé si es culpa de la traducción, pero la escritura me pareció torpe, dura, poco evocativa. Todo el tiempo sentía que estaba leyendo una traducción, cosa que, en mi opinión, no debería pasar si el texto fluye. Por eso es que, si bien me enganché con las vidas de Lenu y Lila, no llegué a formar un vínculo emocional.
Sí me gustó la forma en la que Ferrante aborda el clasismo, la diferencia entre clases sociales y todo lo que eso genera, también el progreso repentino que surgió en Italia después de la Segunda Guerra. Se abordan varios temas que me interesan muchísimo, cómo la violencia contra las mujeres en una sociedad tan machista. En fin, creí que iba a volverme loca con este libro, parecía tener todos los elementos necesarios para atraparme, sin embargo el tono, el estilo narrativo, la traducción (?) impidieron que realmente conectara. No voy a seguir con la tetralogía, tengo demasiados libros pendientes y siento que no vale la pena continuar con esta saga; lo que sí probablemente haga en algún momento es mirar la serie de HBO, creo que eso me engancharía mucho más.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, and Classism
icieri's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
issyd23's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
BRB reading everything Elena Ferrante has ever written 5⭐️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
becksusername's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
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? Yes
4.5
I can't wait to get my hands on book two!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Stalking, Sexual harassment, and Classism
radfordmanor's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
calireisreading's review against another edition
challenging
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
4.0
This book is a very interesting exploration of the friendship and rivalry between the two main characters, but also of the social context they are in. I found their relationship to be realistic and complex, and the author did an outstanding job at describing its nature, both through their interactions and through the narrator's own account. They live in a difficult social context, and I advise reading the content warnings as the book often mentions and occasionally depicts violence. The writing style is great, simple, but expressive; the narration flows effortlessly, with occasional descriptions that are very well balanced by action and never interrupt the flow too harshly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual content
The setting is a poor neighborhood in 1950s Naples, where life is hard and people live in poverty. In this context, the social rules and customs presented in the story are quite backwards compared to today's, so the book contains sexist and classist remarks which are, however, directly or indirectly challenged and questioned throughout the story.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!
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!
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
laurenleigh's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.5
This is one of those novels where there’s very little action, but there’s just something about it that engrossed me. A sign of very good writing, and an especially good translation! The way this narrator looks at the world is both unique and relatable. The part where the girls learn about the recent past and its atrocities (WWII, fascism, etc.) is really sticking out in my mind. I didn’t read in print, but there’s a poignant line about suddenly recognizing that every place and custom and institution is rooted in history from before your birth, for better or for worse. I can’t do it justice in a quick recap! I’d argue the 1950’s and 60’s are often mythologized here in America, and I found it fascinating to see a new perspective on that time period, in a more rural Italian setting. That these girls were in adolescence and had never been in a car! Wild. I don’t think I’m desperate to start the sequel right away, if at all, but I thought this novel was very well done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, and Murder