The tetralogy known as “The Neapolitan Novels” and written by Elena Ferrante – a solid 4-star book series in my opinion – tells the story of a lifelong friendship between Elena (or Lenu, also the story teller) and Lila. They were both born in 1944 and grew up in a poor neighbourhood in Naples (Italy). The story begins in the early 50’s and spans six decades, until 2009:
- My Brilliant Friend – Childhood and Adolescence
- The Story of a New Name – The story continues when they are in their twenties
- Those who Leave and those who Stay – Middle Time
- The Story of the Lost Child – Maturity and Old Age
All these books reminded me of my best friend for the last 40+ years. It is indeed rare such a friendship and I consider myself very fortunate to have it.
“Today it is near impossible to find writers capable of bringing smells, tastes, feelings, and contradictory passions to their pages. Elena Ferrante, alone, seems able to do it. There is no writer better suited to composing the great Italian novel of her generation, her country, and her time.” (Il Manifesto – Italy)
“Nothing quite like it has ever been published.” (The Guardian – UK)
“Ferrante’s own writing has no limits, is willing to take every thought forward to its most radical conclusion and backward to its most radical birthing.” (The New Yorker – USA)
