A review by sam_as_in_3
Meine geniale Freundin by Elena Ferrante

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

3.25

The first 100-150 pages were quite boring. The rest raised some interest in me, maybe because the characters are at an age where I as the reader have memories of too and can compare my pre-teen and teen-years to theirs. Also the class difference(?) or better the different paths in the two girls' lives become more apparent. Now I actually want to know how their lives unfold which means I would have to read the other books in the series.

I couldn't keep up with all the names (especially Alfonso & Antonio) which would be easier with a physical copy of the book because there is a name glossary in the beginning.
Minimal spoiler ahead:
 enough, I expected Lila is the 'genius friend' from the title (because Elena worships her) but turns out that is what Lila calls Elena at one point.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings