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nothingforpomegranted's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.25
This follow-up to My Brilliant Friend picks up right where we left off with Elena/Lenu and Lina/Lila. Now married to Stefano, Lila has become Signora Caracci, the ferocity of her childhood subsumed by domesticity. The tension in the marriage becomes immediately obvious, intensifying the relationships of the entire neighborhood. Brothers- and sisters-in-law, lovers, fiancés and mothers, employees and bosses and children: the interactions between characters are myriad, and to see the dynamics from Elena's myopic, obsessive perspective is both chilling and enthralling.
As Lina explores her new identity as wife, she struggles with her relationships to Stefano's family and his stores. Back and forth between the Caracci grocery store and the Cerullo shoe factory, Lina is uncomfortable with her new status, and yet she walks with head held high. Indeed, the only vulnerability we are privy to is her seeming avoidance of Elena, whose desperation not to see her is nearly as powerful as her desperation to be part of every moment of her life. Eventually, of course, Lina begins to thrive, as in all things (at least, by Elena's reporting): she charms customers while cheating them into paying more, supports her husband's family while skimming off the profits to donate to her neighbors, and flirts just enough with everyone to keep them from becoming too distant or too angry.
As it happens, I found this first half of the book to be somewhat dry. I am struck by the fact that even in my summary, I only described Lina's life, letting Elena fade into the background just as she nearly erases herself, and therein lies the terrible beauty of these novels. This friendship is toxic, which only becomes more evident as the book continues, the subtlety of Elena's erasure transforming into Lina's complete overpowering of her friend, just as she has found some strength, confidence and independence.
Elena, still thriving at school, is invited to graduate to university and spends the summer working at a bookstore, until she is cajoled by Lina to join her on a doctor's orders beach vacation to relax her body in preparation for pregnancy. Enthused by the possibility of reuniting with Nino, who Lena has figured herself to be in love with after years at school, mutually impressing each other, she agrees to join them (paid for her time by Lina).
This is where the story really begins, and it is beyond compelling. If the first half of the book was a struggle to get through, the second half was completely immersive, and I finished it in just a couple of hours. Part of what made it so propulsive was how entirely disgusted I was by Lina's actions and Elena's dependence on her. This book was troubling, and I still can't wait to pick up the next in the series.
As Lina explores her new identity as wife, she struggles with her relationships to Stefano's family and his stores. Back and forth between the Caracci grocery store and the Cerullo shoe factory, Lina is uncomfortable with her new status, and yet she walks with head held high. Indeed, the only vulnerability we are privy to is her seeming avoidance of Elena, whose desperation not to see her is nearly as powerful as her desperation to be part of every moment of her life. Eventually, of course, Lina begins to thrive, as in all things (at least, by Elena's reporting): she charms customers while cheating them into paying more, supports her husband's family while skimming off the profits to donate to her neighbors, and flirts just enough with everyone to keep them from becoming too distant or too angry.
As it happens, I found this first half of the book to be somewhat dry. I am struck by the fact that even in my summary, I only described Lina's life, letting Elena fade into the background just as she nearly erases herself, and therein lies the terrible beauty of these novels. This friendship is toxic, which only becomes more evident as the book continues, the subtlety of Elena's erasure transforming into Lina's complete overpowering of her friend, just as she has found some strength, confidence and independence.
Elena, still thriving at school, is invited to graduate to university and spends the summer working at a bookstore, until she is cajoled by Lina to join her on a doctor's orders beach vacation to relax her body in preparation for pregnancy. Enthused by the possibility of reuniting with Nino, who Lena has figured herself to be in love with after years at school, mutually impressing each other, she agrees to join them (paid for her time by Lina).
This is where the story really begins, and it is beyond compelling. If the first half of the book was a struggle to get through, the second half was completely immersive, and I finished it in just a couple of hours. Part of what made it so propulsive was how entirely disgusted I was by Lina's actions and Elena's dependence on her. This book was troubling, and I still can't wait to pick up the next in the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
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