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rosatenena's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Stalking
fantomerrant's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
I think it was uncomfortable because of the explicit details at times, but also because, while very different, a lot of what was going on reminded me of my parent's divorce and their relationship. It was also uncomfortable because of Olga's descent into depression and loss of self, loss of reality.
While this wasn't my favourite read, I get a bit upset at the negative reviews who hate on Olga without an ounce of empathy, who blame her instead of Mario...
I'm not really usually into contemporary novels with realistic plots/stories, but there were some parts that I really liked, that felt poetic and powerful.
"I wanted to write stories about women with resources, women of invicible words, not a manual for the abandoned wife with her lost love at the top of her thoughts..."
"In those long hours, I was the sentinel of grief, keeping watch along with a crowd of dead words."
"To those who hurt me, I react giving back in kind. I am the queen of spades, I am the wasp that stings, I am the dark serpent."
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
bootsmom3's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Cursing, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Blood, Abandonment, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, and Alcohol
yilliun's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Excrement, and Vomit
Minor: Suicide attempt
Poor Ottocarojust's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Olga is suffering in the aftermath of finding out her husband is having an affair, and has left her and their two children. She spirals in a familiar pattern, of shame, confusion and anger, and eventually a hallucinatory fog. She struggles to maintain normalcy for herself, her children and their dog. A big theme for Ferrante in her novels is a woman's loss of identity after marriage and motherhood, and Olga mourns the writer she once was, and how much she sacrificed for her husband's success.
Not many people (in my life) understand the mental warfare that occurs after the sudden discovery of infidelity -- and they should read this book to know exactly how it feels. You grieve, and panic, and try to find logic in an extremely illogical act, a betrayal that affects your entire biology. Ferrante explores all of this in unrelenting, devastating prose, and it's intoxicating to read.
After checking the content warnings, please add this to your list for a god-tier masterclass in women's rage.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
likeagilmoregirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Grief, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
abby_reads_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Abandonment
radfordmanor's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Excrement, and Abandonment
libellumartinae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Decisamente un'esperienza interessante e raccapricciante, e per quanto il tema non sia nuovo nella scrittura della Ferrante, non manca di nuovi punti di vista e angoli di osservazione.
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
ally_reads_'s review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Animal death, Mental illness, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Vomit