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marsmcel's review against another edition
funny
slow-paced
- 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
lilrusski's review against another edition
5.0
[full review @grandepoque instagram]
as a slow reader, finding a groove is at times dishearteningly difficult, because my pace never matches the rhythm of the book. ferrante’s detailed observations of the minutely complex unfolding of adolescent life into adulthood matched the slow tone of my reading pace, subversively working to quicken it.
giovanna is confronted with the end of her childhood in a subtle nod to the elektra complex, when her father matches the perceived ugliness of his sister to her (in character) to her attributes. this prompts the unravelling of giovanna’s childhood puritan innocence, leading her to discover the sins that her aunt vittoria represents in an obverse confrontation of class and religion with accepted ideals of sex.
‘the lying life of adults’ shows a flawed family falling apart at the seams of the veiled lies fed to children in an attempt to rear them ideally. the concept of growing up sheltered from sin and, therefore, (sexual) corruption is absurd, in a modern world geared towards catering to the curious whims of budding teens. ferrante’s writing is lyrical, and yet disturbing in its confrontations of the ugly head of early- to late-adolescence. there is nothing charming about stumbling through the lies woven by adults, in reaching equanimity. giovanna’s father upholds this false image, whilst the castigated vittoria does away with falsehoods and artificial politeness, treating giovanna like the adult she wants to be seen as, a brazen relationship which sees both women compete against, deplore and support one another. a beautiful portrait of the slowness of life and the overwhelming social detail with which each individual is confronted.
i would love to one day be able to read ferrante’s prose in the original italian, so sure am i of its double-entendre, which slips through the translated english.
as a slow reader, finding a groove is at times dishearteningly difficult, because my pace never matches the rhythm of the book. ferrante’s detailed observations of the minutely complex unfolding of adolescent life into adulthood matched the slow tone of my reading pace, subversively working to quicken it.
giovanna is confronted with the end of her childhood in a subtle nod to the elektra complex, when her father matches the perceived ugliness of his sister to her (in character) to her attributes. this prompts the unravelling of giovanna’s childhood puritan innocence, leading her to discover the sins that her aunt vittoria represents in an obverse confrontation of class and religion with accepted ideals of sex.
‘the lying life of adults’ shows a flawed family falling apart at the seams of the veiled lies fed to children in an attempt to rear them ideally. the concept of growing up sheltered from sin and, therefore, (sexual) corruption is absurd, in a modern world geared towards catering to the curious whims of budding teens. ferrante’s writing is lyrical, and yet disturbing in its confrontations of the ugly head of early- to late-adolescence. there is nothing charming about stumbling through the lies woven by adults, in reaching equanimity. giovanna’s father upholds this false image, whilst the castigated vittoria does away with falsehoods and artificial politeness, treating giovanna like the adult she wants to be seen as, a brazen relationship which sees both women compete against, deplore and support one another. a beautiful portrait of the slowness of life and the overwhelming social detail with which each individual is confronted.
i would love to one day be able to read ferrante’s prose in the original italian, so sure am i of its double-entendre, which slips through the translated english.
tofudoom's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
3.5
talyaslezak's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
annadiprimavera's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
sofiareilima's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
laurag98's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
5.0
turidt's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- 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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexism, Sexual content, and Classism
Moderate: Grief
claireguyatt's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A very enjoyable read for the most part, Ferrante is a beautiful and vivid writer, but the ending did not feel like a proper conclusion. The protagonist’s actions did not make sense to me in a way that was dissatisfying.