Reviews

The Neapolitan Novels Boxed Set by Elena Ferrante

abfly212's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

0.5

redannieoh's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0

oliviaide's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-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

polly13's review against another edition

inspiring 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? N/A

5.0

The Neopolitan Series by Elena Farrante. This is a four book series that in my opinion gets better with each book - I loved it
These books are set in Naples starting with Elena and Lila as children in Naples in the 1950s and follows the friendship of the two through to adulthood and old age with Elena becoming a successful writer and Lila becoming an entrepreneur.

For me these books are about Naples and Women.  The books describe Naples as a city of poverty, violence and social unrest and despite this the women see it as their home particularly Lila but Elena keeps coming back to it.

What about the women? Both interesting in their own way, both suffering at the hands of the men they love , there is a lot of domestic violence in these books and it’s written in such a way that it almost feels cultural.  Their friendship is the most interesting -  narrated by Lena their are times when she portrays an almost hatred for Lila however Lila is always there for her and is always brutally honest with her which I think in ways gives Lena the freedom to be who she wants.  Lila is really strong and has had to endure a lot and we get to understand her strength and resilience through her actions .  Overall highly recommend this great series

amrryn's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

pegsustain's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative medium-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

4.25

sheelin's review against another edition

emotional 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? Yes

5.0

alissamune's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

• 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

5.0

pinkpaperbunny's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

emilykarinpeterson's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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? Yes

4.5