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katherinewankelman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This was such a beautiful book—so easy to get lost in the prose and fully immersed in the story. This was such an incredible reflection on childhood, and more specifically, girlhood. I’m always impressed by books that can follow a character from a young age and have an accurate a reasonable voice for the character while still making it an engaging read. I am eager to read more by this author and truly beautiful work by the translator!
Minor: Sexual assault, Violence, Sexual harassment, and Gun violence
libraryofchlo_'s review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Moderate: Violence and Sexual assault
augie_'s review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Violence, Toxic friendship, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Sexual violence
izzy_v's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Moderate: Sexual violence, Violence, and Sexual harassment
miller8d's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Gun violence, Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Misogyny, Child abuse, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Death, Abandonment, Body shaming, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Sexism, Grief, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Murder, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Self harm, Infidelity, and Emotional abuse
serena_hien's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Violence
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Child abuse, and Sexual assault
Minor: Death
flovntic'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
5.0
Moderate: Violence, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Rape, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Sexism, Classism, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship
stavoosh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The story is told from the perspective of Elena telling about her early life in a Naples neighborhood in relation to her best friend/foil/manic pixie dream girl/rival, Lila. the two girls grow up amidst poverty and violence. Their tumultuous relationship portrays the story of every young friendship- peer pressure, competition, devotion, and love- as it changes through the years due to the violent circumstances of poverty.
I had difficulty remembering all the different characters in the beginning and tracking all the timelines but Ferrante does an excellent job in characterization AND plot. This makes each character and timeline settle comfortably in your head. The protagonist, Elena who holds the same name as the author, tells us her life story while holding Lila as some sort of unreachable person who is ultimately impossible to understand to Elena. Throughout the story, Elena navigates life and strives to outgrow the neighborhood and even best Lila.
There were lots of things about this book that left me thinking long after:
- which girl is the brilliant friend?
- the mystery of Lila in the beginning, which we later learn is very fitting of her personality
- the last sentence that showed the reader only knows as much as the narrator knows, leaving Elena still a huge mystery
- themes that permeate the book of knowledge (is it superior through education or natural talent?), violence (permeates almost every relationship), etc.
Excited to read the next one and watch the show!
Graphic: Violence and Sexual assault
isabookabel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, and Sexual harassment
risemini'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
4.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Pedophilia, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, War, Ableism, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Alcoholism, and Racism