I chose to read this novel purely because it was selected by the New York Times as the.number one book of the best hundred books of the 21st Century. It’s the first entry in a quartet. I read the audio book, well-narrated by Hillary Huber. This one I read on a roundtrip top NYC. One of my many reasons for turning to audio so often.
Elena Ferrante draws the reader emotionally and truly almost physically into life in a poor neighborhood in Naples, Italy in the 1950s, where every girl is expected to marry and propagate, domestic violence is no secret and problematic rich corrupt bullies can impact individuals and families in unexpected but not a surprise to them way.
Elena Greco is the narrator. She is a gifted and ambitious student, a central theme of the novel and in the early grades in school she faces serious competition from Lila. As little girls they become friends but there is always some tension in how they interact and relate to each other. A female teacher mentors and challenges them. The children believe that, unlike most girls, each will continue her education primary school. Lila is so brilliant, she teaches herself advanced subjects using library books. And then they become teenagers and attract the attention of boys and men. Lila finds work. As they reach their early teens, the girls gain/steal some independence from the protective eyes of their family and the neighborhood. In part due to family circumstances and in part due to each one’s nature, their individual visions shift.
Along the way, problematic relationships, a crazy plan that a small shoemaker shop pursues with Lila’s help, and a raucous ending gives us a temporary peek at where each girl may end up. And through it all, the whole neighborhood is a character in itself, judging, gossiping, or just watching with interest. I finally have the next three entries lined up because audible had a sale for my wish list that meant it was affordable. I’m certainly planning to go forward with the next three novels. The writing, the setting, the characters, the complex ways each girl progresses are all memorable and their lives are worth more time from me.
They Called me Bookworm 