Reviews

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

krystyna's review against another edition

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reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.5

inksuinka's review against another edition

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4.0

This was quite a journey for me. It wasn't an easy or even very enjoyable reading experience. I basically forced myself through it because of the prestige and because the prologue really hooked me in. It was a very slow burn, and I had trouble getting through the writing style and the continually changing pace. I'm not interested in stories of little children or teenage politics so especially the beginning was very boring for me. I started getting into it towards the end, and found myself enjoying the bits where Lila wasn't present more than the ones where she was.

However, I absolutely loved the last sentence and it kind of turned the whole story on it's head for me. There's very interesting themes in this book, especially woth patriarchy and classism. The friendship in the centre of the story is very complicated and thought provoking, and it made me even uncomfortable at times. I have a feeling this will be one that's going to stick with me and grow on me, and I will be continuing on to the rest of the series.

"Maybe I'm not so ugly, I thought, maybe I can't see myself."

tara_pikachu's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

jamchow's review against another edition

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5.0

brilliant, brilliant, brilliant - the way this stirred up so many complicated feelings with such a simple story

natimat's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

zaravive's review against another edition

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4.0

I finished this book a few days ago and wasn’t sure I was going to continue with the next one. As of now I haven’t stopped thinking of it, so that decides it for me.

7sonja77's review against another edition

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

3.0

felicitousenigma's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

gabriellymesquita's review against another edition

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

kristin_roemer's review against another edition

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1.0

Does not count as truly "read" because I gave up halfway through. SERIOUSLY, what is the hype about this book? Thought it too detailed and heavy; on the bright side reading it before bed did help me to go to sleep at night! And how is what I read about "friendship"??