Reviews - The Days of Abandonment

The Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante

2.86k reviews for:

I was blown away by this book. Relentlessly and vividly harrowing from page 1, visceral, smart, and dark, dark, dark. I ate up the brutal honesty and stunning self-awareness of Olga. It probably makes a difference that I found it completely convincing as someone who has had my own "desperate, dangerous, freefall into the darkest places of the soul" (book jacket quote). This is an unforgettable book.

lauretta07_'s review against another edition

3.75

dark reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

charlotteros3's review against another edition

4.5

dark reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

irv_in_the_books's review against another edition

4.25

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

pattireadsalot's review against another edition

2.0

I love the unhinged woman trope, but I should have checked the triggers. The animal abuse and death soured me very quickly. I just wanted to finish this, so thankfully it was short.