A review by coffee_and_chapters
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

 

Reading this whilst visiting Italy was probably the best decision I could make. 

I really enjoyed Elena and Lila’s story so far and their friendship, which was at times tense but would still persevere, and how their lives had taken such different turns even though they lived in the same neighbourhood. It was interesting to see the dynamic of the narrative change on Elena’s perception of Lila, from the moment they were little girls to teenagers and young women. The exploration of female friendship and the portrait of two strong women who always had each other even when challenged by life’s unpredictable pathways. 

I hanged on to every chapter, word and page, and underlined some beautiful quotes