swords_and_things 's review for:

The Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante

3.0

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Alright, I bought this book, because the bookstore didn't have My Brilliant Friend, and I interpreted the title as "Days of Abandon" instead of "Abandonment." I was thoroughly mentally unprepared for the amount of dispair the protagonist feels. The loss of her ability to function and take care of (or care for!) her children is terrifying, especially because it touches on a deep fear I have of getting lost in emotions and losing perspective. But, the book is worth reading precisely because the author conveys these feelings so acutely.