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4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
4.5/ Lenu continues to annoy with her overthinking and obsessive personality, but she's such a real person that you can't help but feel for her. Lila's story is obviously the stand out and I sincerely need to know if things work out for her somehow. The secondary characters can feel a bit samey, especially bc their descriptions tend to use a lot of the same words. But I enjoy hearing about the neighborhood people all the same.
The political diatribes/soliloquies can be a bit much, I have no idea what anyone is talking about most of the time, and it seems like the characters themselves don't either. The book could be cut down significantly if these portions were shorter or cut out altogether, and I doubt the story would be affected.
The political diatribes/soliloquies can be a bit much, I have no idea what anyone is talking about most of the time, and it seems like the characters themselves don't either. The book could be cut down significantly if these portions were shorter or cut out altogether, and I doubt the story would be affected.
Elena Ferrante continues the story of Elena and Lila in "The Story of a New Name." They both suffer hardships and their friendship is tested. Lila comes out much the worse for wear as a result of her trials and tribulations, while Elena, though outwardly flourishing, continues to lack confidence and faith in herself.
Lila's marital problems take up much of the book.
I enjoyed following Elena's academic journey, and seeing her thrive at Pisa. You know an author has created a lovable and relatable character when you feel pain when Elena feels pain, when Elena lacks confidence in herself. That is really the secret to Ferrante's success, I think - creating a compelling, sympathetic character in Elena. She doesn't always do the right thing - but she is self-aware enough to recognize when and why she doesn't. I look forward to cheering on Elena in the next two books.
I did think "The Story of a New Name" was a little overlong. The section on Ischia especially went on for too long. I also would have liked to have seen more of the other neighborhood characters - they disappeared more and more as the book progressed. But these are minor nitpicks in an otherwise wonderful story of the hard lives and friendship of two women.
Lila's marital problems take up much of the book.
Spoiler
As hinted at in the end of "My Brilliant Friend," Stefano is not the kind, thoughtful husband Lila thought him to be. He rapes her, beats her, and tries to quench the fire that burns in Lila. Lila throws herself into work at the grocery to try to make herself feel alive. But it is only when Lila meets Nino - Elena's secret love - on Ischia that she understands true passion. But their fairytale love cannot last. Lila and Nino's affair throws their lives into disarray, along with Elena's.I enjoyed following Elena's academic journey, and seeing her thrive at Pisa. You know an author has created a lovable and relatable character when you feel pain when Elena feels pain, when Elena lacks confidence in herself. That is really the secret to Ferrante's success, I think - creating a compelling, sympathetic character in Elena. She doesn't always do the right thing - but she is self-aware enough to recognize when and why she doesn't. I look forward to cheering on Elena in the next two books.
I did think "The Story of a New Name" was a little overlong. The section on Ischia especially went on for too long. I also would have liked to have seen more of the other neighborhood characters - they disappeared more and more as the book progressed. But these are minor nitpicks in an otherwise wonderful story of the hard lives and friendship of two women.
It's probably just as good as "My Brillant Friend," but adding 150 pages to the narrative, including multiple graphic scenes of domestic violence, definitely made it less pleasurable to read. It was never as difficult of a slog as the first 100 pages of "Friend" were before I got into it, but I'd prefer to struggle with the beginning rather than the end of the book as I did with this one.
The last two words of this book were still perfect.
The last two words of this book were still perfect.
I read Mr Brilliant friend over a year ago, I didn't love it, but, it held my interest enough that I wanted to read more about Lila and Lenu. Last January I started The Story of a New Name and just couldn't get into it, so I abandoned it. Because so many of my friends just loved this series I decided to give this second book another try. What was wrong with me last year? Was it my frame if mind? Was I distracted? I don't know what it was, but, I am so glad that a few days ago I started this book again. It's wonderful. It is full of raw emotion! I'm just sucked into this journey with these ladies of Naples....I already started the third novel.
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
i’m literally a different person now thanks for asking
4.5 increíble mejor que el primero y siento q va a ir aún a mejor. por favor dios quítale todo sufrimiento a mi pobre lila y devuélveselo a cada hombre que se cruza por su camino multiplicado por cien mil. y la lila-lenú dinámica... i think i've seen this film before.....
It's a truly stunning book. The writing is so simple and yet somehow everything Ferrante says is completely new, rageful and incendiary but also familiar (despite not thinking I feel much rage). Reading them is an intense experience and I understand why some don't want to but the book is also an incredibly pleasant read and surprisingly, a page-turner
this series really exemplifies how intertwined childhood friends become with each other. elena ferrante writes so beautifully (which i feel is whats lacking from so many of the books ive read recently)… it really is an art form. her writing finally made me fall in love with reading again. the story and the writing get better the further you get which, i feel, mirrors lenu’s journey throughout the years.
Lo cierras y repasas todas tus amistades de la infancia; entendiéndolas mucho más, compadeciéndote un poco.