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What To Read Next: More Refugee related books
By K · 39 posts · 4882 views
By K · 39 posts · 4882 views
last updated Apr 14, 2025 06:38AM
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By Katelyn , Our Shared Shelf Moderator · 38 posts · 11608 views
By Katelyn , Our Shared Shelf Moderator · 38 posts · 11608 views
last updated Jul 12, 2024 04:17PM
What Members Thought
3.5 stars. This is such an intense exploration of every detail of a young woman's life in a small Italian community, much of the reading was excruciating because the introspection was so overwhelming. Endless reflection on thoughts, experiences, observations, fears, and plans. I was exhausted. And yet now that I'm finished I keep thinking about the people involved and wondering what happens in books two and three.
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The Neapolitan novels by Elena Ferrante are so highly regarded that I am wondering if something is wrong with me. I liked the first novel but not enough to feel like diving into the next three.
This novel certainly does describe with detail the life of the time in Naples, as well as vividly painting a story of a friendship bordering on obsessiveness (but in a realistic, not a creepy way). I appreciated the honesty in the storytelling.
Perhaps I will feel like reading the sequels later.
This novel certainly does describe with detail the life of the time in Naples, as well as vividly painting a story of a friendship bordering on obsessiveness (but in a realistic, not a creepy way). I appreciated the honesty in the storytelling.
Perhaps I will feel like reading the sequels later.
My friend raved about this book, as did the librarian. I hated it more and more as I read it. I hate the writing style, and the 100+ characters that I could not keep straight. And I wanted to punch her brilliant friend by the end. I do not understand the hype about this book.
This may be a case of unrealistic expectations for me; because this book kept appearing on lists of reader favorites, I expected to like it more. And while it was probably in keeping with the time period (1950s Italy), I had a hard time with the casual sexism and domestic violence. I don’t think I’ll read the rest of the series.
I love the way Ferrante writes and this is a terrific exploration of young women coming of age. I enjoyed it but there were definitely parts where my reading stalled and the plot seemed non-existent.
Sep 26, 2015
Katherine
marked it as to-read
Dec 06, 2015
Mandy
marked it as to-read
Jan 19, 2016
Sara
marked it as to-read
Jan 22, 2016
Jen
marked it as to-read
Feb 21, 2016
Miss Susan
marked it as to-read
Mar 14, 2016
Tea
marked it as to-read
Dec 05, 2016
Rac
added it
Dec 27, 2016
Paula
marked it as to-read
Jan 02, 2017
Emily
marked it as to-read
Jan 09, 2018
Travis
rated it
really liked it
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