The whole “8,000 characters with similar names” thing is literally the point: it’s claustrophobic, it’s Naples, it’s family trauma repeating in different bodies. And yeah, of course it’s autofiction. Everything now is autofiction. That’s the whole trap. But your take is refreshingly honest in a landscape where most people just want to look like they “got it.” You didn’t over-intellectualize, which is kind of cool—like admitting you were reading it on the beach in August. That’s the most Ferrante thing you could do.
I appreciate the mention Emma, and glad I was the inspiration for you to read this. As I told Kolina when I said I'd read along, I've never done book clubs or any kind of group reading things before, and I was feeling inspired I guess. There was also serendipity at play - a few weeks prior, I chanced up on My Brilliant Friend in a small take one/give one box and I live in Vienna where there are so few English books to be found secondhand that this was certainly a sign. It was never a book I was dying to read, tbh.
Reading part 2 in Italy is a great idea, that's the kind of thing I'd do. As it is, I'm definitely waiting until next summer to read the next one - they seem ideal summer reads and there was another reviewer who said the same, she was going to wait for next summer.
Same, I had it on my bookshelf for years before actually reading it. The question is are we doing book 2,3&4 next summer or just book 2? Unless I find myself back on a beach further a field I think I’m going to wait until spring at least!
The whole “8,000 characters with similar names” thing is literally the point: it’s claustrophobic, it’s Naples, it’s family trauma repeating in different bodies. And yeah, of course it’s autofiction. Everything now is autofiction. That’s the whole trap. But your take is refreshingly honest in a landscape where most people just want to look like they “got it.” You didn’t over-intellectualize, which is kind of cool—like admitting you were reading it on the beach in August. That’s the most Ferrante thing you could do.
Maybe I’ll go full on cliche and read part 2 in Italy….
I appreciate the mention Emma, and glad I was the inspiration for you to read this. As I told Kolina when I said I'd read along, I've never done book clubs or any kind of group reading things before, and I was feeling inspired I guess. There was also serendipity at play - a few weeks prior, I chanced up on My Brilliant Friend in a small take one/give one box and I live in Vienna where there are so few English books to be found secondhand that this was certainly a sign. It was never a book I was dying to read, tbh.
Reading part 2 in Italy is a great idea, that's the kind of thing I'd do. As it is, I'm definitely waiting until next summer to read the next one - they seem ideal summer reads and there was another reviewer who said the same, she was going to wait for next summer.
Same, I had it on my bookshelf for years before actually reading it. The question is are we doing book 2,3&4 next summer or just book 2? Unless I find myself back on a beach further a field I think I’m going to wait until spring at least!
My tentative plan is only 1 book each summer for the next 3 years, and then maybe her other books.
I admit I stole this idea from here: https://lydiablundell.substack.com/p/the-ferrante-factor-my-brilliant