Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The story of a young girl coming of age and discovering truths about her parents, and the world around her, through a blossoming relationship with her estranged aunt. The shift in awareness and perspective that happens during adolescence is so profound. This element of growing up and developing is irreversible, and it was an emotionally provocative experience to confront that through this book. Ferrante’s writing is just amazing.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book reminds you of what it is like to be a teenage girl. From the very first line I knew there would be enough anguish, comparison, self identification, extreme idealization and self hatred that can only be found in an adolescent girl. From the moment her face was claimed to look similar to Vittoria, I got transported to the beautiful world ending disaster of adolescence. Every little thing had meaning, every contradiction led to betrayal and disappointment. You get to see the protagonist dream for adulthood by acting self assured, and you get to see her parents act like children despite immersing themselves into complex research and literature. They can't bring themselves to be self aware of their behavior, which is what angers Giovanna so much. The process of humanization in your parents as you grow up is a tumultuous process, but towards the very end, her mind begins to expand and embrace the complexity. The narrative of how she thought and how it bridged to the way she spoke and rebelled was amazing, it felt very real.
This coming-of-age story set in Naples begins when Giovanna overhears her beloved and adoring father tell her mother, “she’s getting the face of Vittoria.” It’s as if he’d said, Giovanna is becoming ugly, for Vittoria is his estranged sister, and in their home her name is “like the name of a monstrous being who taints and infects anyone who touches her.”
For Giovanna, the usual tumult of adolescence is exacerbated by a complicated family history and the lies the adults around her tell. Like any teenager, she is dealing with hormones, individuating from her parents, discovering sex, wondering about religion, and learning about love, but in this family, in Naples, she also has to figure out how to navigate class and patriarchy.
For the sheer pleasure of reading I would only give this three stars, but vivid writing and interesting issues gets it four.
For Giovanna, the usual tumult of adolescence is exacerbated by a complicated family history and the lies the adults around her tell. Like any teenager, she is dealing with hormones, individuating from her parents, discovering sex, wondering about religion, and learning about love, but in this family, in Naples, she also has to figure out how to navigate class and patriarchy.
For the sheer pleasure of reading I would only give this three stars, but vivid writing and interesting issues gets it four.
adventurous
sad
tense