Every intense relationship between human beings is full of traps, and if you want it to endure you have to learn to avoid them. I did so then, and finally it seemed that I had only come up against yet another proof of how splendid and shadowy our friendship was, how long and complicated Lila‘s suffering had been, how it still endured and would endure forever.
Inside was the struggle to leave her, the old conviction that without her nothing truly important would ever happen to me, and yet I felt the need to get away . . . Her life had overwhelmed me and it took days for me to restore clear outlines and depth to mine.
pickThis is the story of the early adult years of this friendship, the epitome of a love-hate relationship. The nature of the relationship vacillates from one extreme to another. The proclaimed writer of the story, so far, one of the two friends, is named Elena. I can‘t help but believe that this is her true story of a life with Lia. The emotional intensity and astute observations regarding human nature in these novels are amazing & unforgettable. 4/5
so-soLenu strives and studies, fed by a hunger to be perceive well. Lina, in contrast, hurls herself to get what she wants with a “I will burn it all to the ground if I need to” air but without the “you just watch” footnote. She abandons all care for what others think. She garners respect, even if you can‘t like her. While you know you should be cheering Lenu‘s carefully crafted accomplishments, instead you are watching for what Lila will do next.
Sadly, I think the friend(?) who I was supposedly buddy reading Elena Ferrante with is ghosting me. She went ahead and finished all the books in the series though before I finished the second one. I have texted and called her to apologize. I‘m so shocked. I hope she‘s Ok though. (Sigh)
Ha! Interesting title for this post. My friend Buddy Reading these books with me and I think she is the character “Elena” in these novels. I cannot conceive that this can be a fictionalized relationship. #Bibliophile #AuthorWPseudonym
#5JoysFriday
1. Sunrise - I stopped in my commute this morning to take some photos
2. Sunset from my balcony
3. My landlord brought me homemade wine & limoncello - delizioso!
4. This kitten ❤️
5. I live 400 meters from a pizzeria & 200 meters from a gelato shop 😋
Thanks for the tag @TheSpineView
The story is that I am trying to catch up with my friend (Buddy Read). She could not stop reading and finished all 4 novels in the Quartet. The relationship between the protagonists (two) is … I don‘t even know what to say. Elena Ferrante is anonymous. I betcha she is writing a story about her own friendship. I don‘t even think one of the greatest authors can make this stuff up. It‘s the epitome of a love/hate relationship. (This is Book Two)
pickPublished in English under the title Neapolitan Chronicles&translated by Goldstein&McPhee, Ortese is one of the best post Ww2 Italian&perhaps most overlooked authors.The book consists of 5 chapters (3 fiction,2 journalistic accounts) that present a Naples shattered by war&corruption. Ortese‘s style is a blend of realist narrative&”almost surreal tone”.Ortese talks about her book having the effect of disorientation.
Well, I seldom if ever read two books at once. But, I was doing a buddy read of “My Brilliant Friend” (Book 1) and before we even discussed the book, she could not wait and started reading this one. We will see how this goes with “Les Miserables”. (Back into my reading for sure in 2025).
