Reviews

After visiting Italy for the first time myself last year, I read this book in my challenge to read books from every country in the world, find more @BeyondPageOne on Instagram, I'm always looking for suggestions!

In this coming-of-age story, the focus is the relationship between friends. I found that it was a quite a unique relationship at that, in the fact that it often felt unbalanced or one-sided, fuelled on Elena's admiration and wish to prove herself to Lila, along with a vast number of other characters (the name guide provided by Ferrante at the front of the book proved to be helpful in this area!)

An element that really stood out for me was the backdrop of the poor Napoleon neigbourhood, which is a stark contrast to what I, as a North American, usually picture Italy to look like, highlighting parts that are often less recognized but still hold a strong sense of reality, community, and history. The harsh difficulties of relationships between friends and family, students and teachers, and lovers and spouses are all felt intensely throughout, balanced by the often beautiful passages describing them. An example that describes the premise of the book completely, "I felt grieved at the waste, because I was compelled to go away, because she preferred the adventure of the shoes to our conversation, because she knew how to be autonomous whereas I needed her, because she had her things that I couldn't be part of, because Pasquale, who was a grown-up, not a boy, certainly would seek other occasions to gaze at her and plead with her and try to persuade her to secretly be his girlfriend, and be kissed, touched, as it was said people did when they became boyfriend and girlfriend-because, in short, she would feel that I was less and less necessary."

This was my first taste of Italian literature, and I think it's worth it to get a feel of the rougher side of this nation, however, I see how some readers have struggled with the structure of the book, maybe from translation or the nature of the book.My Brilliant Friend took me some time to finish, even accounting for a break I took while reading it. Ferrante's writing can be elegant and lyrical, but a bit formal. The pace is slower to cater to the sensation of a coming-of-age novel without a specific storyline or element of suspense, apart from the prologue which was not mentioned again in the first book of this series, leaving for something to be desired.

fionamiller's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional reflective tense 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

3.5

hauntingofalice's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

emgroomy27's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted reflective sad 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

5.0

The story sweeps you up into a warm cloud carrying you on a journey navigating Lenù and Lila's life and friendship

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