Reviews

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

emilyruiz22's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

brendapim's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

sophiacano's review against another edition

inspiring reflective slow-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

4.5

emsplanations'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? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

franciscogrilo's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

99bmg's review against another edition

emotional funny sad tense

3.5

antananarywa's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• 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

3.75

vickylbedford's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

abi_dutton's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexual assault

Minor: Murder

lavrendy's review against another edition

4.0

What an interesting relationship to read about. I honestly forgot these types of friendships existed—the ones that thrive on constantly competing with one another—because I haven’t really had to deal with them since I was a kid. This book reminded me of how exhausting that simultaneous co-dependency and co-resentment can be with someone that everyone else would see as your friend.

Is this a specifically female friendship experience? I genuinely can’t even imagine what guys talk to each other about when they hang out so who knows.

Haven’t read a series in a loooong time so I had forgotten that authors can just end a book without tying up all the loose ends lol. On to the next!