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peelijay's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
stellamcvey's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Elena Ferrante is a master at diving into the complex feelings of women. As a girl reading this book going through the exact stage of life that Giovanna is, I related to the emotions and dilemmas she felt highly (although would I react in a similar way to her? No). The tone that Ferrante carries through this book is a unique feature of all her books and I enjoy it’s almost nightmarish quality.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
nepheloma's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
This was a book that I think anyone who has been a teenager at some point could relate to. The teenage angst and rebellion is depicted very truthfully and without shying away to the bad parts of it, including how selfish one's rebellion can be at times. The breaking of a family, the estrangement with ones parents and the search for some kind of found family in other people are central to the plot and felt very well executed. There are some problematic aspects to the plot, especially how adult characters end up being romantically involved with teenagers, but I think that it is also clearly proven in the book that these relationships do more harm than good to the minors involved. I really liked the book's ending and I thought it was very fitting to everything that happened, and in general every plot point was very real and the characters were all flawed, but extremely well-written and multidimensional.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Pedophilia
alaina's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
bookforthought's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
penelopereads's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Ferrante is an incredible writer. I’ll read anything of hers! I’m not usually one for stories (more for the words) but hers are so entertaining and the characters are great. How she gets to the heart of teenagedom the way she does will never cease to amaze me.
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, and Sexual content
boothsm's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
kash's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
kelly_twardziak's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I picked up this book after reading a blurb about Elena Ferrante in Entertainment Weekly and it did not disappoint! Her descriptions of complicated characters and family life felt true to life. Protagonist Giovanna's observations are heart-wrenchingly true and made me think about the way we perceive lies and the truth in our situations and relationships, especially the stories we tell ourselves about our own journeys.
It also provided what felt like an authentic snapshot of life in Italy, which was interesting to me, as someone who primarily reads books set in the US/UK.
It also provided what felt like an authentic snapshot of life in Italy, which was interesting to me, as someone who primarily reads books set in the US/UK.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, and Sexual content
ewayland's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wasn't thrilled with the actions of the protagonist at the very end and was somewhat disappointed that many plot elements were not resolved, at least not to my satisfaction. That seems to have led some to speculate that maybe this is another multi-volume story, but I doubt it. One gets the sense the protagonist is "lighting out for the Territory" at the end. But I'd be happy to be proven wrong about that. I'd be happy to get any more novels at all from Ms. Ferrante.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Some might be put off by the frank descriptions of sex, especially from a young woman's perspective, but...this is Elena Ferrante. That's one of the things you've signed up for.