Reviews tagging 'Misogyny'

The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante

27 reviews

samarakroeger's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

I liked this so much more than the first book!  While it felt like I was dragging my feet through parts of My Brilliant Friend, I was hooked to this one. This book follows them from the ages of 15-23, focusing on Lenu’s pursuit of education and Lila’s tumultuous and abusive marriage. 

If I thought the first book had kill all men energy, then it is even stronger here. Every single man is downright terrible here. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Rape, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Classism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, and Miscarriage

greatexpectations77's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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

4.75

Books have rarely hit me as hard as those in the Naples series. It may be the first time I learned that it was okay for a female character to be unknowable. It's just really incredible.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Rape, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny

Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, Bullying, Chronic illness, and Classism

Minor: Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Abortion, and Blood

augustwordsworth's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

Moderate: Suicide, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse

ktkeps's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Ableism, Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Death

theyley's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Misogyny, War, Classism, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Violence

hannahhansa's review against another edition

dark reflective tense slow-paced

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

5.0

I am gripped and thoroughly shaken by Elena Ferrante’s writing. The emotions that course through me on completing a book of hers feel violent and life altering.  I have no words.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Misogyny, and Abandonment

anna_catherine73's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense medium-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

This series of books draws you in like nothing else I have ever read and moves you in such an intense way. Some of the best books I have read in a really long time, I have a never ending love for the Neapolitan novels.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Sexism, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Suicide

calireisreading's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

A longer and more challenging read compared to the first volume, I found this second installment interesting and engaging, despite it dealing with heavier themes (again, please check the content warnings); some chapters and scenes were difficult to read,

especially those of domestic abuse between Lila and Stefano, starting from their first wedding night

. The friendship-rivalry between Lila and Elena is further developed and grows with them, taking on more mature characteristics while still retaining some childlike traits.
The writing style is impeccable as it was in the first book and flows just as well, each sentence is meaningful and balanced.
Overall, a solid read, unpleasant at times because of the challenging themes, but meaningful and impactful.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Sexual violence, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Misogyny

Minor: Suicide and Miscarriage

lindseyhall44's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

“Even if your better than me, even if you know more things, don’t leave me.”
The complexities of the female friendship  is a concept I have always noted in my life, yet struggled to articulate. However, Ferrante puts these universal experiences into words, so captivating and raw that the reflections of my life becomes clearer.
The Story of a New Name follows Elena and Lila, two friends on different paths, as their lives diverge and reconvene on the cusp of adulthood.
Although the environment and lifestyle situation of Lila and Elena vary dramatically from my own, I can’t help but see fragments of my past relationships in theirs. The care and precision of the intertwining plot lines envelops the reader into the lives of these women, creating a searing glimpse into the politics, class, and social elements of 1950’s Naples Italy. It truly feels like I am growing up with Elena and Lila, and their perspective is not one I would want to lose to the world.
This is a brilliant read, and I would recommend to anyone interested (though please check trigger warnings).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Death, Infertility, Rape, Abandonment, Abortion, Classism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Sexual violence

jouljet's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Rape