Reviews

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

jojireadsbooks's review against another edition

5.0

i was almost scared to read this because i have heard so much hype about it over the years, but i think that the hype also distorted what i thought this book was going to be about. where i expected a heartwarming and touching recollection of a tender friendship, i instead found a narrative of intense competition (albeit rooted in love and admiration) between two girls amidst a background of poverty and violence. lila and elena are as much in competition with one another as they are with their circumstances growing up in the shadow of fascism and the war. i found the politics of the book really surprising but not unwelcome. i actually didn't know what to feel about lila and elena's friendship until i got to the line that lends the title of the novel and i burst into tears.

Spoiler

i had always believed lila to be the "brilliant friend" in question, seeing her so much through elena's eyes, and to read instead lila calling elena that, insisting that she continue in school? tragic. i felt so bitter about lila's supposed "ending" in the book at the wedding, trapped inside the circumstances that she hated the most--insulated by luxury created by those who cheat others--and i immediately went back to read the beginning of the novel, finding solace in that the domestic life that the novel leaves lila in does not contain her forever. lila, as always, rebels.

the beginning of the novel is definitely slow--i feel like the first two sections set up the premise for the meat of the book (adolescence). i spent 6 days getting through the first two sections and then devoured the rest of the novel in a day. an unforgettable experience, truly.

st_vasil's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

Strong exploration of the inner lives of the two main characters, as well as a certain kind of competitive friendship that I imagine many can relate to. Beautifully written prose.

evarose3's review against another edition

5.0

This was my first time reading Ferrante and DAMN. Just…damn. I loved spending time in Naples with her incredible characters. It felt so rich and immersive—truly made me wish I knew Italian so I could read the original words. And the end! All I can say about it is that I cannot wait to get my hands on book 2. Overall, beautiful and thought provoking.

lmthompson's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

ms_hartman's review against another edition

5.0

First Half:
"Anne of Green Gables in a rough Italian neighborhood written by Donna Tartt."

Second Half:
"Imagine if Jane Austen got angry and you'll have some idea of how explosive these works are."

morganwright's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

astroandbooksbyjess's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Esta novela lo tiene todo y no se que hacer ahora con mi vida ni como poner mi opinión.

La acabo de terminar y solo quiero seguir leyendo esta saga

heffalumpwoozle's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

mariachiara11's review against another edition

reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

gabbymarieee's review against another edition

5.0

elena ferrante’s writing is an absolute gift, i have never come across anything quite like it. this story of girlhood and female friendship is so beautifully, vividly crafted and will forever be one of my most impactful reads.