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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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Sexism, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Suicide
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).
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).
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
mermaidreef's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Neapolitan novels are like something Tolstoy would write, if Tolstoy were Italian, a woman, and wrote more interesting books.
This second installment in the series was...heavy. Relationships going wrong left and right, people having affairs, domestic violence, sexual assault, basically every type of relational trauma you can imagine. I also would not recommend this book if you're a) a woman or AFAB person that b) doesn't want to be angry about being born with a female body and doesn't want to hate men.
Ferrante examines the way that men think of and interact with women: as inanimate objects for them to claim, control, and use how they like. Defiance is met with physical and sexual violence. Inability to fulfill whatever feminine role is expected based on their stage of life is met not only with aggression from husbands, but with the reproach of the community as well. In this environment, women grow up believing that when married, women need to be "brought to heel" by their male companions from time to time. Violence by men is natural and a deserved consequence for a woman who fails to fulfill her "duties."
I could write pages and pages on this but long story short so good so beautifully written so profound so insightful so gorgeous. Please read these books.
This second installment in the series was...heavy. Relationships going wrong left and right, people having affairs, domestic violence, sexual assault, basically every type of relational trauma you can imagine. I also would not recommend this book if you're a) a woman or AFAB person that b) doesn't want to be angry about being born with a female body and doesn't want to hate men.
Ferrante examines the way that men think of and interact with women: as inanimate objects for them to claim, control, and use how they like. Defiance is met with physical and sexual violence. Inability to fulfill whatever feminine role is expected based on their stage of life is met not only with aggression from husbands, but with the reproach of the community as well. In this environment, women grow up believing that when married, women need to be "brought to heel" by their male companions from time to time. Violence by men is natural and a deserved consequence for a woman who fails to fulfill her "duties."
I could write pages and pages on this but long story short so good so beautifully written so profound so insightful so gorgeous. Please read these books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Pedophilia, and Suicide
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Rape
a789's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Rape, and Death
eshdho's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, and Adult/minor relationship
siobhanfuller's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
libbyhb's review against another edition
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
Ugh, every one of these books is perfect. I found so much of this book cringe-inducing, but only because Elena's feelings and actions were all so real and vivid. The Ischia section felt so unbearably long and drawn out, and I could really appreciate Elena and Lila and Nino and Pinuccia's struggles through Ferrante's writing. I loved that in contrast to that section (where Elena and Lila are together 24/7), once Elena goes to university the events are skimmed over and summarized, showing how much less important her life feels without Lila as present in it. Just a solid installment in a wonderful series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Violence
hollsbookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Sexual violence, and Rape
steff's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, and Domestic abuse