Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan Book Series - A Story That Must Be Read!

Contributed by Bettina Miller, Hive Overland Park

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I recently read a sprawling, intense, coming-of-age story chronicling the lifelong friendship between Elena and Lila, set against the backdrop of post-war Naples. This four book quartet, which also happen to be a series on HBO, is a story that must be read! The narration is visceral and fevered, pulling readers into the emotional and social realities of the story. Ferrante provides a meticulous portrait of post-war Naples, exploring the era's poverty, violence, sexism, and class struggles through the lives of her characters.  The books were translated from Italian and there is a long list of characters (that are listed at the front of the books to help you keep track of who's who.) If you dive into this series, you will be rewarded with a fascinating story.

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

The novels are told in the voice of Elena Greco and focus primarily on the complex bond and lifelong friendship between herself and Lila Cerrullo. Thier relationship is filled with love, rivalry, loyalty, and dependence. The first novel is set in the 1950’s in a poor working-class neighborhood in Naples and covers their relationship from ages six through sixteen delving into their intellectual rivalry as they wind up on different paths.  Elena is able to pursue higher education while Lila is forced to quit school to work in her family’s shoe repair shop; both are extremely intelligent girls.  Lila ends up engaged to a prominent, although nefarious, member of the neighborhood and the novel ends on their wedding day.

The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante

The second book in the series takes place throughout the 1960’s and covers the relationship from their later teenage years until their early 20’s. Lila has married a man from the village with money, but struggles with the relationship. Elena, meanwhile, continues on the path toward higher education, eventually making a name for herself in the literary world. Much transpires during their years together as their journeys intertwine as they seek to define themselves and their places in the world.

Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay by Elena Ferrante

Book three picks up in the late 1960’s through the mid 1970’s.  The friendship between the main characters has and continues to be tested by betrayal as well as substantial changes in social status.  It is also a time of significant cultural and political change in Italy. Family dynamics for both women evolve as the novel explores themes of female identity, ambition and belonging in a rapidly changing world.

The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante

Much of the fourth and final book takes places during the 80’s and 90’s and finds both women once again in vastly different situations. They each wind up back in the dangerous neighborhood of their childhood, with Lila finding herself in a significant position of influence as a successful business woman and Elena roaming the world as an author.  At the same time, an insurmountable tragedy takes place and decisions are made that impact both their lives in irreversible ways.

Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan book series is a story that must be read!