My Brilliant Friend (Neapolitan Novels, #1) in Our Shared Shelf

Apr 25, 2020 Jessica Haider rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, book-to-film, south-shore-bookclub, 1000_books

Set in a rough, working class neighborhood in Naples, My Brilliant friend focuses on the childhood friendship between Elena and Lila. The story is told from the perspective of Elena who initially meets Lila when the 2 girls are in first grade. Elena is drawn to Lila by her brash, bold and often "bad" behavior. The story is very much character-driven and follows the 2 girls up through their late teens. The girl's relationship is made up of various dimensions such as loyalty and jealousy.

I listen ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jul 20, 2019 Alejandra rated it it was amazing

"My Brilliant Friend" follows two girls living in a poor neighborhood in 1950's Naples, from kids to teenagers. The story is told from the point of view of Elena Greco, a shy bookish girl, and describes her coming of age together with her friend, the wild Lila. It is not sweet, warm and fuzzy; the characters live in poverty, surrounded by domestic violence, and need to grow up really fast. It is a raw, honest book. My childhood was certainly more coddled than what Lena and Lila has to go through ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Feb 10, 2017 Sarah rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, euro-fiction, italy

People raved about this book to me, and it was good. It had moments of subtly profound insight into female friendships, I think, but I'm not quite sure, because I'm not sure if I've ever really had a female friendship like this. Is it normal to feel really jealous of a close female friend? I don't know. Maybe others can supply some evidence one way or the other. I expected to identify with it more than I did, and that's one reason it only gets 4 stars. I also couldn't make Lila into a real perso ...more

Like · see review