The Story of a New Name

Sehr gut Buch

The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante is a little challenging to review—most notably for how unpredictable and stellar it is. After finishing Book 1 of the Neapolitan Quartet, I was under the impression that I could foresee how the story would progress—how the often frenemies and often best friends, Lila and Elena, would navigate their journeys. I’d like to acknowledge that I was wrong—but I’m not disappointed. The narrative world of the book is addictive in true Elena Ferrante fashion. The premise is intriguing, and it is almost nostalgic to read about the lives of adult Elena and Lila, especially considering how much they’ve grown, lived, and continue to experience in this second book. It’s one of those books that leaves you spellbound hours after you finish it. I did find the middle section of the book somewhat redundant and a little harder to get through. It’s utterly heart-wrenching at times. The brutality of the domestic abuse Lila has to confront is gruesome. As a reader who especially enjoys the personality and inner world of the narrator, Elena, her emotional betrayal at the hands of her best friend was very hard to fathom. However, I’m pleased with the direction her journey took, and by the end, I could clearly see why things had to unfold the way they did. It further reaffirms why Ferrante is a bona fide writer who truly commands her literary narratives and in-depth prose. It’s safe to say I’ve become very fond of the book. I’m eager to discover what the next instalments in the series have in store for me. This book, in particular, is a tearjerker.

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Wonderful insights into Italian life after 2nd world war. In particular follows two girls growing up in a poor district of Naples, their families, their loves and losses. Great read. Kath Jenkin

very good thank you