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A modern masterpiece from one of Italy’s most acclaimed authors, My Brilliant Friend is a rich, intense, and generous-hearted story about two friends, Elena and Lila. Ferrante’s inimitable style lends itself perfectly to a meticulous portrait of these two women that is also the story of a nation and a touching meditation on the nature of friendship. The story begins in the 1950s, in a poor but vibrant neighborhood on the outskirts of Naples. Growing up on these tough streets the two girls learn to rely on each other ahead of anyone or anything else. As they grow, as their paths repeatedly diverge and converge, Elena and Lila remain best friends whose respective destinies are reflected and refracted in the other. They are likewise the embodiments of a nation undergoing momentous change. Through the lives of these two women, Ferrante tells the story of a neighborhood, a city, and a country as it is transformed in ways that, in turn, also transform the relationship between her protagonists, the unforgettable Elena and Lila. Ferrante is the author of three previous works of critically acclaimed fiction: The Days of Abandonment, Troubling Love, and The Lost Daughter. With this novel, the first in a trilogy, she proves herself to be one of Italy’s great storytellers. She has given her readers a masterfully plotted page-turner, abundant and generous in its narrative details and characterizations, that is also a stylish work of literary fiction destined to delight her many fans and win new readers to her fiction.
KarmaNY
Posted October 5, 2012
This is the author's fourth book, and it's about her childhood and coming of age growing up in Naples with her beloved friend, Lila, and the unspoken competition between them. I understand now why the author gave a synopsis of all the characters at the beginning of the book because there are so many, it can get confusing. But, as usual, Ms. Ferrante weaves a tale that is endearing, rich, and compelling. This is a women's book - I don't think a man could relate - and Elena Ferrante describes her experiences, observations and revelations with style and insight. She makes you feel as drawn to Lila as she and everyone else seems to be. She make you feel Lenu's insecurities. I wished the ending gave a little more detail about Lenu's future; but the fate of Lila tied in beautifully with the beginning of the book. I love Ferrante's unique writing style and am sad there are no other books left of hers to read (I read them all!).
12 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 18, 2013
Very well written. A beautiful, complicated story. Its a shame the starred rating is misleading, for it seems several reviewers were confused about the system.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.dakotadj
Posted January 19, 2013
This book had me thinking all through it. It still has me thinking and wanting to know more. From what I read it
will be a trilogy. I was happy to discover that. These two girls are so entwined, yet going different directions.
I want to know more about their futures.
6 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 25, 2013
great read,written beautifully, I recommend especially to italian readers.
2 out of 19 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 13, 2013
I enjoyed this book. I thought it was very well written,complicated and quite interesting.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.wcorrig1
Posted April 12, 2013
Nice story, lousy ending
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.BrynBB
Posted April 12, 2013
Started reading this book and about 1/4 of the way through I thought, "Why am I still reading? This book is boring." So, sorry to the original author and sorry to the translator, but this book just wan't my cup of tea.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Juliet33
Posted April 5, 2013
Don't bother...this was a very strange book which was unsatisfying, especially the ending, which was very abrupt. I unfortunately made a
mistake by submitting this review for The Forever Year, which I hadn't read yet. Unfortunately once you have submitted a review there is
no way to correct it come hell or high water. There should be a possibility of correcting a mistaken review.
Anonymous
Posted March 29, 2013
Its so dumb how they do tht bc it just ends up getting them slapped....
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 29, 2013
Yeah. They never learn
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 19, 2013
Gay
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 18, 2013
Ram charan is awesome
0 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 18, 2013
Looks interesting.
0 out of 29 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 27, 2013
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted May 13, 2013
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted March 22, 2013
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Anonymous
Posted February 8, 2013
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Overview
A modern masterpiece from one of Italy’s most acclaimed authors, My Brilliant Friend is a rich, intense, and generous-hearted story about two friends, Elena and Lila. Ferrante’s inimitable style lends itself perfectly to a meticulous portrait of these two women that is also the story of a nation and a touching meditation on the nature of friendship. The story begins in the 1950s, in a poor but vibrant neighborhood on the outskirts of Naples. Growing up on these tough streets the two girls learn to rely on ...