This is the first book in Ferrante's Neapolitan Quartet, a series of books that explores female rivalry and friendship. This novel is set in Naples in the 50's and introduces us to the friendship between Lila and Elena, two girls that live in a poorer neighborhood of the city.
I read the novel in English, although I have the Italian version that I will try to read at some point. The translation is phenomenal. While I enjoyed the story about the friendship between the two characters, the political climate at the time and the neighborhood itself also were big players in this novel. This is Italy post WW-II. Mussolini is barely out of office and the country is trying to figure out who it is post-fascism. There is a lot of normalized violence against all people and there is a crime syndicate that clearly runs things in the neighborhood, which people often fear. The neighborhood itself and its characters were colorful and entertaining. You can't help but adore them.
Lila and Elena were also well done. Lila is somehow particularly self aware and independent, regardless of her age. She is true to herself and that trueness exposes her to greater danger at the hands of people in the neighborhood. Elena was not nearly as self aware or confident. She lives in a state where she is constantly comparing herself to Lila and seeking gratification in her abilities relative to Lila. She consistently misreads most emotional situations, including those in her friendship with Lila, which places her at a marked disadvantage regardless of her book intelligence.
I look forward to re-reading the next three novels in the series and highly encourage you to as well.
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