. Proust? Elena’s first novel, Troubling Love, was released in 1992. Stunning. The two have a strong friendship in the beginning, but go on to explore different paths in their lives, with Lila settling down and Elena continuing to find out more about herself and enjoying the journey as she does it. From a psychological standpoint I found the process of reading these books fascinating. With many stories having female characters who are perhaps more than a little introverted, the true spirit of the girls is what makes this such an inspirational read. I read them all back-to-back very quickly and I can’t wait to read them again. The amount of topics it touches is broad. The series is based around the characters of Elena and Lila who are two young girls trying to survive in an impecunious part of Naples after the war. Ferrante's books, originally published in Italian, have been translated into many languages. Once you have read this novel it is hard to get these lives out of your head, as Ferrante is so good at really drawing you into the world of these two women over the span of decades. I am late in coming to this party and by now so much interpretive ink has been devoted to the quartet that I am left with only the personal. Should I read these novels chronologically? Italian film and television production company Wildside announced today that it is working with producer Fandango to adapt the Neapolitan novel series by Elena Ferrante… Her first novel, Troubling Love was also made into a movie, entitled ‘Nasty Love’ or L’amore Molesto and was released in 1995, also featuring in Cannes Film Festival the same year. The novels have proved to be a hit with readers from all over the globe and most of this is down to the fact that the stories involve human relationships and feelings. Like I said though the dude writes some messed up stuff so be cautious if that sort of thing isn’t your cup of tea. Elena Ferrante, The Story of a New Name (2012) Europa Editions, Edizioni E/O, 471pp. We’d love your help. Writers and critics are unanimous in their praise. Four books? The division of the body of work in four books serves but practical purposes, without having an impact in the rhythm of the narrative. I found the slightly vague “magic realism” elements of the first book a bit forced, and appreciated instead the raw, sometimes brutal, emotional realism, so perfectly observed, and so heartbreaking. So, keep reading if you aren't sure. It shows the challenges she has to overcome as she tried to life herself from the despair of the situation, so she can start to enjoy life again. To see what your friends thought of this book, yes. The tetralogy was written by Elena Ferrante, a pseudonymous author who was said to be born in Naples, Italy in the early 1940s. The detail is exquisite and the characters explored with a rare and touching intimacy. I thought these books were amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed reading te first part (My Brilliant Friend), I read it in two days late into the night (which I deeply regretted in the following mornings but I just couldn´t help it :). Elena is an important novelist of the Italian generation and last year she even featured on the prestigious New York Times, top 10 Best Books of 2015 for The Story of the Lost Child, which is quite an accolade for any author. Thanks! In other words, these books have made me feel like no book has in some time. Absolutely tore through all four novels. Ultimately, the series of novels is based around friendships and all of the many challenges which come with them and how, when two people grow apart, they find a way to repair their damaged relationship. Ferrante Fever continues at HBO. What I thought was going to be meaty beach read, turned into a non-stop reading frenzy by the end of book one! They’ve shared their entire life: their childhood in the ‘rione’, their adolescence with their first experiences, their first approach to the university/ job and their maturity with their families. If you see one missing just send me an e-mail below. Wow. For now, we can contend with the fact that Elena Ferrante is an enigma and continue enjoying her work without worrying of her identity. Elena Ferrante’s “The Lost Daughter,” 2006, which has been (along with her other books) translated into English by Ann Goldstein and published by Europa Editions. They also get better as they go along, I wasn't that into the first book but I got hooked by the last line, the second was better and the third and fourth were amazing. The series, which is co-produced with Italian public broadcaster Rai and Fremantle, is based on Elena Ferrante’s novels. Excellent storytelling is the biggest merit of Ferrante´s writing. I found a world and culture I couldn't quite understand in everyday Naples and a lifelong friendship between Elena and Lila that was complex, sometimes beneficial and at other times so very toxic. A still from the HBO TV series based on Elena Ferrante's My Brilliant Friend. . Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. What is it about the narrative structure of some books that makes them impossible to put down? This tetralogy, written by the Italian writer Elena Ferrante (her identity is not very clear), is a beautiful travel around a indissoluble bond. They are riveting in their evocation of Neapolitan life from the fifties to the present day. We may even see more of her books being turned into movies in the future and perhaps some more nominations and awards will be coming her way. I found a world and culture I couldn't quite understand in everyday Naples and a lifelong friendship between Elena and Lila that was complex, sometimes beneficial and at other times so very toxic. I am often asked by readers of the site if I accept donations as a “thank you” for the work I put into the site. I could read Morrison, Pynchon, Chang, and Wallace instead. A community that finds it natural to suffocate with the care of home and children so many women’s intellectual energies is its own enemy and doesn’t realize it.”. There is more than an air of mystery surrounding the true identity of Elena Ferrante, who has used this pen name on her novels to date, never revealing the true person behind the writing. Netflix is to adapt the Elena Ferrante novel The Lying Life of Adults as a TV series in collaboration with Italian production house Fandango.. Without giving too … So many pages? The name Elena Ferrante is a pseudonym, and whoever she really is, she has written the greatest book series of the 2010s, looking back at the century … The introductory novel, My Brilliant Friend instantly grips the reader as it follow the friendship of the two girls and the different personalities which brings the book to life. This tetralogy, written by the Italian writer Elena Ferrante (her identity is not very clear), is a beautiful travel around a indissoluble bond. The story takes place in Italy, exactly in Naples, in the 1950s and 1960s. i mourned. L'amica Geniale, the book by Elena Ferrante at Piu Libri Piu Liberi Publishing Fair at the Convention Center La Nuvola, on December 6, 2017 in Rome, Italy. I vowed not to watch any other episodes - not until I read all 4 books anyhow. i was honestly devastated when i finished the last one. The … So many pages? Welcome back. Once you have read this novel it is hard to get these lives out of your head, as Ferrante is so good at really drawing you into the world of these two women over the span. The Neapolitan Novels are a 4-part series by the Italian author Elena Ferrante, translated by Ann Goldstein and published by Europa Editions (New York). They need it more than me. In any case, I'm glad I'm done reading them and can move on with my life, and I'm glad for the reflection they inspired. October 6th 2015 Thank God it’s over, I cannot understand all the hype. The subject matter is very real, and the reflective narrative style allows for serious character development. This is not an autobiography, it is a work about life, and about women's lives in particular. What is this creation? I had to slow down my reading of the last book because I didn't want to leave the deeply felt world of Lila and Lenu. We’ve got you covered with the buzziest new releases of the day. The story of The Days of Abandonment is about a wife and mother, who finds herself abandoned and destitute by her husband. The Story of the Lost Child was also a nominee for the Strega Prize, which is an Italian literary award. I should say these are 4 books. However, The Story of the Lost Child is based around the women reuniting and how they manage to get their friendship back on track. I learned a lot, got curious. Elena Ferrante is a pseudonymous Italian novelist. It was very hard for me to understand the friendship between the two main characters: Lila and Lenù. stunning . The title remained the same and the film featured Margherita Buy and Luca Zingaretti. The book also conveys a riveting account of living in a deprived area and how the two girls cope at a young age. Elena’s true identity is not known, as she believes that “books, once they are written, have no need of their authors.” She was named one of the 100 most influential people on the planet by Time in 2016. I've been swept up in these characters' lives for almost two months, and the end leaves me with mixed feelings. Lina is also an intelligent girl with a lot of drive and determination and the characters of the two are captivating. Writers and critics are unanimous in their praise. I’d recommend The Store first. I just recently started reading Bentley Little and I am HOOKED. Her four-book series of Neapolitan Novels are her most widely known works. I was at times exuberant with joy, righteously angry, frustrated with Lenu and Lila's choices at various points, and especially by Lila's coy reticence. What is it about the narrative structure of some books that makes them impossible to put down? I love these books so much that I want to spend the rest of my life rereading them, circling the text and subtext, drawing ever nearer, mining it endlessly. This series had that - all I wanted to do for a few weeks was just read these books at any spare moment. 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