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caroisreading's review against another edition
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is my first Elena Ferrante read, and now I understand the hype behind her beautiful way of writing, and how she's become the standard for complex inner monologue.
This is a short book that reads long. The writing is dense and intricate, wandering and conflicted.
Our narrator is a divorced mother of two daughters, and has a difficult history with motherhood. Arguably, she's a terrible person. Though the beauty of this first-person perspective is that we are in her darkest thoughts and memories, ones that we've likely had ourselves and try not to face. She is symbolic of common themes among women, the loss of identity, career and power once married and becoming a mother, jealousy of other women, tiredness of dealing with the advances of men, a focus on beauty and youth. It's so much packed in 140 pages.
The title "The Lost Daughter" very cleverly applies to so many dimensions of the story -- the lost doll, her own lost identity, losing her daughters to her husband, Nina almost losing her daughter.
This may not be enjoyable for you if you need storyline -- this is more like an essay, or running train of thought. This also has unlikeable characters, our protagonist included, which may feel like a drag to read.
Still, I'm looking forward to trying more of Elena's translated work.
This is a short book that reads long. The writing is dense and intricate, wandering and conflicted.
Our narrator is a divorced mother of two daughters, and has a difficult history with motherhood. Arguably, she's a terrible person. Though the beauty of this first-person perspective is that we are in her darkest thoughts and memories, ones that we've likely had ourselves and try not to face. She is symbolic of common themes among women, the loss of identity, career and power once married and becoming a mother, jealousy of other women, tiredness of dealing with the advances of men, a focus on beauty and youth. It's so much packed in 140 pages.
The title "The Lost Daughter" very cleverly applies to so many dimensions of the story -- the lost doll, her own lost identity, losing her daughters to her husband, Nina almost losing her daughter.
This may not be enjoyable for you if you need storyline -- this is more like an essay, or running train of thought. This also has unlikeable characters, our protagonist included, which may feel like a drag to read.
Still, I'm looking forward to trying more of Elena's translated work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Car accident
natashaball's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Quick novella to read, that deals with some heavy subjects and what seems to be a very rarely addressed subject in literature - the sadness and limits as a mother. I enjoyed how titbits of Lena’s life were spread throughout the book, so you get to know her slowly and why she acts the way she does. I had watched the film before reading, I’d say it’s a good adaptation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
elanuruysal's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Pregnancy
bii_newt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Sexual content, Vomit, and Car accident
Moderate: Blood
sarjmorg's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
brynpemery's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Toxic friendship
Minor: Pregnancy
isabezza's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
Elena Ferrante is an author who has been on my radar for a while now, and I have a few of her books on my TBR. Although this shorter story was not quite what I expected, Ferrante's writing certainly inspired emotional, horrific reactions, dark themes and descriptions. I was particularly enraptured by our complicated main character. For example, her tragic story and internal monologue puts the reader in a position of understanding some of the bad and cruel behaviours from the main character's past. The ending is simultaneously shocking and predictable.
That said, this story is not for readers who enjoy a fast paced plot. The dual timeline (where Lena narrates her past and her present) involves more character development and emotion than action which could make the reading slow for some.
That said, this story is not for readers who enjoy a fast paced plot. The dual timeline (where Lena narrates her past and her present) involves more character development and emotion than action which could make the reading slow for some.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
gemmaduds's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A fleeting exploration of womanhood & motherhood. Honestly depicts the thoughts of a woman in her late forties, reflecting on her experience of having 2 daughters as she observes a large Neapolitan family on the beach and is drawn to a young mother and her daughter in particular.
So much ground is covered in less than 150 pages, making this a tight and intense novella that touches on big feelings, like Post Natal Depression, internalised misogyny, female rivalry, marital affairs, and the discovery of self after children. A one-day beach read for those who like a lot from their books.
So much ground is covered in less than 150 pages, making this a tight and intense novella that touches on big feelings, like Post Natal Depression, internalised misogyny, female rivalry, marital affairs, and the discovery of self after children. A one-day beach read for those who like a lot from their books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Pregnancy
Minor: Abandonment
jaiari12's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Pregnancy, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Sexual content
ktkeps's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity and Injury/Injury detail