A review by slugluv
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

4.0

while at times I found all the names and family stories confusing, overall this book is unique in how real and complicated and strong the feelings and psyches of the characters are. I don’t know how to explain it well, but the minute details of these girls’ stories and how it subtly expands into critique of much larger political systems is impressive. I wasn’t happy reading this novel as it is suffused with sadness and longing and violence and the trapped feeling of the neighborhood it revolves around. I’m curious about the rest of the series but am wary of it dragging me down emotionally.