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cassie_i's review against another edition
5.0
Slow start but I soon found I couldn’t stop thinking about Lenu and Lila. A raw story about choices a person does not know they are making that define them and their path.
jessjorgs's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
emercedesrich's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
thevivifriend's review against another edition
5.0
I started this book twice before, and watched the first 3 episode of the TV series and decided it wasn't for me and I found both Lila and Lenu annoying. Then I decided to give it another go and sometimes the timing of a book is not right because after finishing now in 2 days it seemed like the perfect book to read.
It was maybe after page 200 that I stops seeing the book as being about 2 annoying children I have no interest in and i started identifying with them. Mainly with Lenu but I wonder if the perspective would change if the book was written for Lila's perspective (really wish we get a book in the series from Lila's perspective).
I so rarely enjoy fiction and now I feel I am fully invested in the book series, want to give the TV series another go, idk right timing makes a difference and so glad I gave it another go.
I don't think I've ever read a book with such complex characters and such a full depiction of love in all its forms from pure innicence, admiration, respect to infatuation, jealousy and sabotage. I did also read both characters as queer or in the least having a queer platonic dynamic; they both obsess over each other, perceive the other as the brilliant, more talented one. It is presented from Lenu's perspective that their friendship is the the most complex, rewarding and consuming relationship in her life, and I choose to see Lilia sharing her feelings.
I hated how toxic Lila and Lenu were from each other in my first 2 reads but now I realise that's how most relationship can be. And I chose to convince myself this cannot be purely a work of fiction maybe because of my own limitation of imagination that I can't imagine someone writing characters that are so real from nothing.
It was maybe after page 200 that I stops seeing the book as being about 2 annoying children I have no interest in and i started identifying with them. Mainly with Lenu but I wonder if the perspective would change if the book was written for Lila's perspective (really wish we get a book in the series from Lila's perspective).
I so rarely enjoy fiction and now I feel I am fully invested in the book series, want to give the TV series another go, idk right timing makes a difference and so glad I gave it another go.
I don't think I've ever read a book with such complex characters and such a full depiction of love in all its forms from pure innicence, admiration, respect to infatuation, jealousy and sabotage. I did also read both characters as queer or in the least having a queer platonic dynamic; they both obsess over each other, perceive the other as the brilliant, more talented one. It is presented from Lenu's perspective that their friendship is the the most complex, rewarding and consuming relationship in her life, and I choose to see Lilia sharing her feelings.
I hated how toxic Lila and Lenu were from each other in my first 2 reads but now I realise that's how most relationship can be. And I chose to convince myself this cannot be purely a work of fiction maybe because of my own limitation of imagination that I can't imagine someone writing characters that are so real from nothing.
donnawr1's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great book to get into a different world. Another country, another socio-economic group. It is also interesting because of the unusual friendship- full of competition, intense loyalty, and even undermining each that makes the story come so alive. I love that the author's true identity is unknown, even though she is very popular in Italy. It can be very intense at times, but I look forward to reading more in the series.
rdemos's review against another edition
4.0
I'm often slow to read hyped up contemporary novels because they usually fall so short of my expectations. This did not. Sequels, here I come!
sarapocher98's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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
3.75