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nadiaherondale's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Misogyny
Moderate: Violence, Sexual assault, and Infidelity
kelleykamanda's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Classism, Violence, and Misogyny
danidamico's review against another edition
3.5
My Brilliant Friend fue una de mis lecturas más anticipadas durante un par de años; siempre incluía al libro en mi lista de pendientes para leer. Todos parecen amar esta novela (y tetralogía) de Ferrante, por eso siento que hay algo que me perdí, ya que no sentí lo mismo. El libro me gustó, lo leí en pocos días de principio a fin porque evidentemente logró captar mi interés, pero no me conmovió como esperaba. Para amar un libro necesito que me conmueva, que me haga llorar o reír, que me impacte de algún modo, que me incomode. Que me haga sentir algo. Lamentablemente en este caso el estilo narrativo impidió que conectara con lo que iba pasando en el relato, no sé si es culpa de la traducción, pero la escritura me pareció torpe, dura, poco evocativa. Todo el tiempo sentía que estaba leyendo una traducción, cosa que, en mi opinión, no debería pasar si el texto fluye. Por eso es que, si bien me enganché con las vidas de Lenu y Lila, no llegué a formar un vínculo emocional.
Sí me gustó la forma en la que Ferrante aborda el clasismo, la diferencia entre clases sociales y todo lo que eso genera, también el progreso repentino que surgió en Italia después de la Segunda Guerra. Se abordan varios temas que me interesan muchísimo, cómo la violencia contra las mujeres en una sociedad tan machista. En fin, creí que iba a volverme loca con este libro, parecía tener todos los elementos necesarios para atraparme, sin embargo el tono, el estilo narrativo, la traducción (?) impidieron que realmente conectara. No voy a seguir con la tetralogía, tengo demasiados libros pendientes y siento que no vale la pena continuar con esta saga; lo que sí probablemente haga en algún momento es mirar la serie de HBO, creo que eso me engancharía mucho más.
Graphic: Classism, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence
radfordmanor's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Moderate: Child abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, and Body shaming
katrinarose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Violence and Child abuse
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Bullying, Body shaming, Classism, Gun violence, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Minor: Cursing, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Homophobia
paulawind's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I can’t wait to read the rest of the series and what trajectory those binary stars will take - closer or away from each other, how will their friendship progress and how will they develop as people. This novel is a perfect example of writing about the most mundane life in such a captivating way that you feel as if you were reading about lives of famous individuals
Graphic: Bullying, Blood, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, and Classism
kell_xavi's review against another edition
5.0
Ferrante’s story is often quietly dramatic, matter-of-fact in its revelations. Even as the story increases in complexity (as does the setting, with prosperity in small stores, new cars, dating), Lenu and Lila remain the focus. Told in first person with Lenu as narrator, she explores Lila’s story alongside her own. Their growing up is very much together, the moments that are Lenu’s alone serving to tell us more about her ways of seeing, her experience and perspective—which then she brings to her friends.
The last chapters of the novel build towards a climax that we anticipate and fear alongside the two young women. Lila is somewhat changed, subdued, her stubbornness and creativity confined within her. Lenu observes, saddened, emboldened to leave and not be made small. Difficult conflicts ebb and flow, rushing hard and fast towards the girls with little warning. And right at the end, Ferrante gives us a sequence so expected and yet starling to the core. And there she leaves us.
The strongest work is this realist novel is emotional. The writing holds so much empathy for the characters, awareness of their needs, that what we feel is so close to their own warmths and chills. Lila, under Lenu’s constant gaze, grows from a harsh, daredevil child into an academic sensation into a hard-working, confident girl into a beauty, and page by page, we grow to understand her. Lenu is a softer, more predictable child, but she gains confidence as well, through hard work studying and taking care of those around her. By fifteen, I loved them both, felt proud of who they were becoming, and looked forward to seeing them through the series to its end.
Moderate: Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, and Violence
Minor: Pedophilia and Sexual assault
_shonahenderson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Body shaming, Stalking, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Mental illness, Classism, Death, Murder, Racial slurs, and Violence
miriah's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Child abuse
ukponge's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Misogyny, and Sexual assault