mcnamaste's review against another edition
5.0
You know that book, that you put down, take a deep breath and are like... "Woahhh..."
This was like that for me.
I read the first in the quartet and liked it, but this book resonated so much more with me as it follows Lenuccia and Lila into womanhood with all the complex emotions involved. Some of the themes Ferrante touches on are motherhood, marriage and self-discovery.
It's interesting to observe - as the girls mature - the dynamic of their friendship. Elena feels genuine envy and at times almost hatred for Lila, but is unable to detatch, just as she finds it hard to shake her origins, with the dialettal accent, and stigma that goes with that. There's a love-hate dynamic with jealousy and competition between the two young friends as they both follow very different paths. The intensity and complexity of female friendship are explored in this and the first novel, in a very relatable way.
I had planned to take a break from these books after this one but the moment I finished... I needed to start the next, just to see what would happen - by now I'm invested in the story of these two girls and the others in the neighbourhood.
This was like that for me.
I read the first in the quartet and liked it, but this book resonated so much more with me as it follows Lenuccia and Lila into womanhood with all the complex emotions involved. Some of the themes Ferrante touches on are motherhood, marriage and self-discovery.
It's interesting to observe - as the girls mature - the dynamic of their friendship. Elena feels genuine envy and at times almost hatred for Lila, but is unable to detatch, just as she finds it hard to shake her origins, with the dialettal accent, and stigma that goes with that. There's a love-hate dynamic with jealousy and competition between the two young friends as they both follow very different paths. The intensity and complexity of female friendship are explored in this and the first novel, in a very relatable way.
I had planned to take a break from these books after this one but the moment I finished... I needed to start the next, just to see what would happen - by now I'm invested in the story of these two girls and the others in the neighbourhood.
socorrobaptista's review against another edition
3.0
Fiquei frustrada com o final. Sei que faz parte de uma tetralogia, mas esperava um final que, embora me deixasse ansiosa pela continuação, desse um certo fechamento àquele momento da narrativa. Não é o que acontece. Talvez seja uma forma de forçar o leitor a buscar a continuação, mas não é assim que funciona comigo. De qualquer forma, é uma narrativa interessante, e me prendeu em alguns momentos.
bookmamanumber9's review against another edition
5.0
It wouldn't be possible to overstate how much I enjoyed this book. Intellectually, emotionally and as a grouping of lovely words, and beautiful and painful thoughts it's brilliant. As a meditation of female friendship, and the female existence this series is a path of personal discovery and reflection. Thus far (having finished Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay but not The Story of a Lost Child) it's my favorite of the Neapolitan novels. I'm a little embarrassed for gushing, BUT if you've read or are reading these books you'll understand why my headspace is passionate and emotive.
jessicasanderson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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? Yes
4.0
ernescastares's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rileyrowan's review against another edition
5.0
i wish i could play goodbye earl to all the women in these books
also this woman knows how to do a cliffhanger and she does it well
also this woman knows how to do a cliffhanger and she does it well
shanz09's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
anushareflects's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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: Domestic abuse