Reviews

The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante

clmckinney's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

This is the second story in the Neapolitan quartet. We follow Lenu and Lila from teens into early adulthood. This book is about so many things. We see the world of Naples in the 60s at a time of change in the world. As well, these girls lives dramatically change. This book is the beginning of friendship being tested. There is also the underlining theme of women's rights and their corresponding choices. I liked this more than the first novel. It had more twists and turns. I will start the next novel soon. What I am also fascinated with is Elena Ferrante. As the main character is called Elena too. Ferrante seems a myth especially with all the rumours swirling about who she/he could be. The writing is similar to Starnone, or maybe it is his translator wife or the two of them together. Regardless, the mystery of the author adds to the whole experience of reading the books. I give this one a 4.5/5.

abe389's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

laurencatherine44's review against another edition

dark reflective tense slow-paced

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

3.0

whatever_andra's review against another edition

relaxing 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

3.0

maria_rosa's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-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? It's complicated

4.25

kirsten0929's review against another edition

3.0

[2012] Translated from Italian. Notes to self…Usually it’s the writing and characters that keep me engaged in a book but here it’s the the story and the setting that keep me going. The HBO series has helped to create the mood for this book in a way that the book couldn’t and I have actually used that to shape my reading. The ongoing push/pull of the friendship, the addictive, almost toxic nature of it, is more interesting here as it is more traditionally explored in romantic relationships than in friendships. I do, however, find myself making excuses for some things that would have ordinarily turned me off, the soapy qualities, the melodrama, the cliches, so that I can just enjoy it for what it is, a story about a small community of characters living lives.

cartogram's review against another edition

dark reflective sad medium-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

husseinfaour's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.75

banopi's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

This book caused me more grief than the first, which is why it took longer for me to finish. The characters have only become more flawed as they grow up, but it makes them no less endearing to me. (Elena, in particular, is very close to my heart.)

So many things happened in this second book, but I just want to note that I appreciate the glimpses we get into Elena's relationship with her mother. It's a side note compared to her friendship with Lila, but I like it more.

As always, Elena Ferrante's writing is beautiful without seeming pretentious. She portrays the narrator's turmoil, joy, envy, shame, carefully manufactured nonchalance—everything—so well that it makes me feel like I'm living through her experiences and having her thoughts.

The cliffhanger though. God save us from pretentious men who think with their dicks but insist on knowing better than most people.

laurbergo's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

4.75