Review: My Brilliant Friend by Elna Ferrante and narrated by Hillary Huber

Title: My Brilliant Friend

Author: Elena Ferrante (narrated by Hillary Huber)

Year published: 2024

Category: Adult fiction

Pages: 400 pages

Rating: 4 out of 5

Location: (my 2024 Google Reading map): Italy

Summary: 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.

Review: This novel was chosen the number 1 book of the 21st century by the book editors at the New York Times. And one of my book groups chose it so here we are (my other book group chose it many months ago but I didn't read it at the time, I am not sure why).

I liked this book, but would not rank it the #1 book. I do think its intriguing that we don't know who the author is. The idea that someone has written such a famous book (and series of books) and is just wandering about with no one knowing, is fun.

This novel is really a study of a neighborhood: the people, the rules, the abuse, the culture, the history. We hear everything through the eyes of Elena who competes with Lila in all things, but especially academics and romance. In fact, Lila's life and experiences are an obsession for Elena, so much so that her life decisions are often based on what Lila might think. 

There are a lot of characters to keep track of, all mixing together to give a picture of chaos, love, friendship, fighting (both verbal and physical), and growing up. In fact, the characters seem older than their teenagers years. And it is interesting to discover who the "brilliant friend" is.

Challenges for which this counts: none