These novels by Elena Ferrante have been described as “ferocious”, “explosive,” as if they are describing some kind of action/thriller series, but instead Ferrante tells the story of two girls growing up in post WWII Naples whose friendship becomes more and more complicated as their life choices, the political climate and their own sense of themselves develops and changes over time. Beginning with My Brilliant Friend where we are introduced to Elena and Lila as young girls in a scrappy, struggling Neapolitan neighborhood, to the Story of a New Name where Elena and Lila struggle with the choices of either following a career path or to do the expected thing and get married, through Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, where Elena and Lila’s friendship falters as one of them moves away to pursue her dreams, while the other remains trapped in regret, and to the conclusion in The Story of the Lost Child, where the power and pull of Elena and Lila’s friendship comes full circle, and we can finally see the full strength that both women have achieved in their lives.

Elena Ferrante is a famous but pseudonymous Italian author who has published many well received books and essays and articles. The Neapolitan Novels are her most widely known works, and Time Magazine named her as one of the 100 most influential people of 2015. Although attempts have been made to unmask Ferrante, none have succeeded and she remains an illusive, yet intriguing, figure of the literary world.

These books are compelling and yes, explosive and ferocious. They capture women’s thoughts and friendships in ways that no other author has done as successfully. She shows us, without judgment, the jealousy, the hurt, the love, the admiration and the competitiveness that women experience as though observed through the lens of a kaleidoscope, turning the lens to see it from this way and then that way. These characters, burn, rage, and fight for love, meaning and purpose, even as they are consistently told by society and culture, the Church and their parents that they should abandon their dreams and their power and follow the path of least resistance as their mothers and grandmothers before them. While not overtly feminist in nature, they offer deep insights into the struggles women have and continue to endure in making their own place and claiming their own place in the world. They are a must read for all women and all men who want to support them!

Brenda’s Rating: ***** (5 Out of 5 Stars)

Recommend this book to: Sharon, Marian and Lauren, Keith and Ken

Book Study Worthy? YES!

Read in ebook format.