Reviews

La vita bugiarda degli adulti by Elena Ferrante

sgs's review against another edition

challenging funny reflective fast-paced

4.0

Ferrante’s writing is so unique and fun and graphic and thought-provoking! 

I was really disappointed in the ending; it felt predictable and like it was there for “shock value”. Otherwise, I loved reading this. 

davidglztowns's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny relaxing sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

bettina_evelyn's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

2.5

khawlah's review against another edition

3.0

3.5

f_ketta's review against another edition

funny reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

louvs's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

reading this in naples was a necessary experience
elena ferrante! i love u! she’s so brilliant at getting to the core of the adolescent female mind as it grapples with existence through womanhood, as well as exploring how this development of the young female self intersects with complex family&community relationships. it was an uncomfortable and generally aimless narrative, exactly what it needed to be to convey the the turbulent, overwhelming ride that is adolescence, but as a consequence i wouldn’t say i particularly enjoyed the process of reading it or particularly felt a strong love for giovanna. but that’s what it needed to be for it to fulfil its purpose - i loved its reflections, loved its gritty realism, and loved how absorbing and real the complex network of characters felt. i just can’t rate it higher though because i just can’t fully subscribe to the perspective on life that it puts forward, like yes existence and relationships are ugly and complicated but i need at least a bit of brightness!!!

chrisramos_readingrecord_2024's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

laurabraith's review against another edition

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

2.75

m_elisabth's review against another edition

4.0

this is my first elena ferrante book and it wont be my last!! the way ferrante writes about growing up as a female and dysfunctional families is so complex and raw. i found myself relating to giovanni more than i expected which was slightly uncomfortable but it spoke to my heart.

i hope to read my brilliant friend soon !

tennilles's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective sad slow-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

2.0