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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, Sexual content, and Infidelity
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.
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