My Brilliant Friend: A Novel (Neapolitan Novels, 1)

Now an HBO series: the first volume in the New York Times-bestselling "enduring masterpiece" about a lifelong friendship between two women from Naples (The Atlantic).

Beginning in the 1950s in a poor but vibrant neighborhood on the outskirts of Naples, Elena Ferrante's four-volume story spans almost sixty years, as its main characters, the fiery and unforgettable Lila and the bookish narrator, Elena, become women, wives, mothers, and leaders, all the while maintaining a complex and at times conflicted friendship. This first novel in the series follows Lila and Elena from their fateful meeting as ten-year-olds through their school years and adolescence.

Through the lives of these two women, Ferrante tells the story of a neighborhood, a city, and a country as it is transformed in ways that, in turn, also transform the relationship between two women.

"An intoxicatingly furious portrait of enmeshed friends." --Entertainment Weekly

"Spectacular." --Maureen Corrigan, NPR's Fresh Air

"Captivating." --The New Yorker

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331 pages

Average rating: 7.44

122 RATINGS

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Zillah

May 27, 2023

I started reading this because everyone kept on talking about the hbo show (which I still have not seen). It’s book 1 in a 4 book series, and it begins to tell the story of two childhood friends, Elena and Lila, growing up in Naples in the 50s/60s. The style of writing is flowing and visual, and captivatingly unorthodox. Actually, there isn’t really even a plot. But I couldn’t put it down. Starting book 2 asap.

E Clou

May 14, 2023

9/10 stars

Excellent character study; excellent life study. I'm interested enough to continue this story in the subsequent books. Did feel a little slow though.

Anonymous

Apr 07, 2023

6/10 stars

It’s somewhere between a 3 and a 4. I think it’s suffered from my high expectations and the hubbub about this book. I’d definitely recommend it. It’s a real read. No airs and graces. No flourishes. It actually feels kinda like reading someone’s diary with all the uncertainty, the boringness, the contradictions and confessions. I’m happy that it’s a series because I only feel like I’m starting to get under the skin of some of the characters. I’m excited for what’s to come

Anonymous

Feb 17, 2023

4/10 stars

I began the novel thinking it was magical realism or some sort of Jungian shadow story because the two friends are opposites looks wise and personality wise. The stormy personality Lila is a moody and dark person the majority of the time. Seemed like a shadowy persona to me. The narrator is Lenu, who seems to be a complete contrast to her friend. I had a very challenging time keeping track of who was who. I was constantly referring to the index of characters at the beginning of the book. This novel never really drew me in. I don’t get all the hype.

meledden

Dec 31, 2022

8/10 stars

This is a powerful and intense account of the complex friendship between two girls growing up in a low-income neighbourhood in 1950s Naples. It was a bit of a struggle to get into the book, as there are so many characters and the language is long and heavy. However, I persevered and I am glad I did.