pickThis is a remarkable book and incredibly well researched. The author vividly describes centuries of Naples' tumultuous history of art, mythology, social and political upheaval, and violent revolution, interspersed with his own anecdotes of living in the city.
Monday afternoon #BooksAndBooze. Cannot beat it.
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pick19-22 Sep 24 (audiobook)
I have loved revisiting this series. It is such an interesting depiction of female relationships: friendship but also many mother/daughter and teacher/student relationships.
On first read I thought Tina was kidnapped by the Solaras but less certain on a re-read. I also liked Elena less - there were times when her self-indulgence and her jealousy infuriated me.
Looking forward to watching the series after school holidays.
bailedBailing at 19%. I heard so much praise for this author but I can‘t stand the characters and don‘t want to spend more time following their stories.
pick7-12 Sep 24 (audiobook)
I am loving revisiting this series on audiobook.
The second book sees Lila in a violent, unhappy marriage and Lenu departing Naples for university. I am again very emotionally involved with the characters, hoping that Lenu‘s focus on education will ultimately triumph, even whilst conceding that is often not the case in life. The depiction of female friendship -competitive, bitter at times- rings particularly true for me.
pickOof, there is so much going on here, and so much of it is pretty disturbing. What an utter mess Lila is in. The violence, misogyny and lack of hope and opportunity in the neighbourhood becomes even more clear as the girls become women, and it‘s no wonder Lenu wants to escape, but her path out is far from smooth. Another brilliant, vividly written book in the series.
I haven't been able to settle into a read for a while. The top stack is on pause. The fat book is Wilhelm Meister.
So I picked up a more standard, modern story (tagged) and a short story collection (Where the Wild Ladies Are).
TSotLC is fine, plodding, but I will finish it.
