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A review by katiejames
The Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante
challenging
dark
emotional
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
5.0
Reading Elena Ferrante’s The Days of Abandonment was a deep departure from my usual introspective, contemplative narrators.
Olga’s inner world spills out of her and onto the page with such rage and despair it felt too much. Too much to be viewing someone’s marriage and grasp on reality breaking down. I felt like I was witnessing the most intimate and personal moments in someone’s life. Truly trespassing. Ferrante’s writing is so raw, visceral and holds nothing back. It is immersive. Suffocating. I could not take my eyes away due to being entranced by the splintering of Olga’s hold on reality and of herself.
Yet I couldn’t help but feel hope gently simmering in the back of my mind. Hoping for this fierce woman to find herself again, in a new and powerful way.
Olga’s inner world spills out of her and onto the page with such rage and despair it felt too much. Too much to be viewing someone’s marriage and grasp on reality breaking down. I felt like I was witnessing the most intimate and personal moments in someone’s life. Truly trespassing. Ferrante’s writing is so raw, visceral and holds nothing back. It is immersive. Suffocating. I could not take my eyes away due to being entranced by the splintering of Olga’s hold on reality and of herself.
Yet I couldn’t help but feel hope gently simmering in the back of my mind. Hoping for this fierce woman to find herself again, in a new and powerful way.