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carojust'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
w0rmonastring's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, and Abandonment
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Misogyny
Minor: Car accident
readwithchar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Animal death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
anna_catherine73's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Pedophilia
yeolliesutr'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
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Excrement, and Vomit
Minor: Suicide and Suicide attempt
thepictureofemma's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Grief