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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Classism
Loveable characters:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A study of adolescence in a city - and family - divided.
“A long time has gone by.”
“Not even a minute has gone by.”
“Not even a minute has gone by.”
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
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
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Coming of age in the middle of parental messiness, broken family ties, and (un)happy ignorance. I first came across this story in a mini TV serie form, which captured even better the main character's transformation from an obedient daughter into a rebellious, suspicious and slightly insufferable teenager. But I loved it. Not much happens in this book, but the feelings are strong, the characters are believable and the Neapolitan buzz nicely rounds up the general chaos that we find ourselves in.
The Neopolitan Novels mean so much to me, so it was extra disappointing that I didn't love this book. It has all the things I've come to know and love so much about Ferrante (complex inner mind of a teenage girl, sex / obsession / worship, adults with fatal flaws, brusque writing), but it wasn't nearly as satisfying. Can't say much really happened, and I didn't find Giovanna's story a fraction as interesting as Elena's.