First book of the year goes to….My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
My Brilliant Friend – the blurb
From one of Italy’s most acclaimed authors, comes this ravishing and generous-hearted novel about a friendship that lasts a lifetime. The story of Elena and Lila begins in the 1950s in a poor but vibrant neighbourhood on the outskirts of Naples. Growing up on these tough streets the two girls learn to rely on each other ahead of anyone or anything else, as their friendship, beautifully and meticulously rendered, becomes a not always perfect shelter from hardship. Ferrante has created a memorable portrait of two women, but My Brilliant Friend is also the story of a nation. Through the lives of Elena and Lila, Ferrante gives her readers the story of a city and a country undergoing momentous change.
First of four
The book was originally published in 2012 but 2020 was definitely the year Ferrante became a household name, at least in the UK. My Brilliant Friend is the first in a quartet (The Neapolitan Quartet) all about Elena and Lila, two girls from a poor neighbourhood in Naples. Expertly translated by Ann Goldstein, Ferrante considers the quartet to be one novel published separately for purposes of length and duration. There was an ending to My Brilliant Friend but you could easily see it continuing, especially considering the books opening.
Who’s that girl?
The book reads almost like an autobiography however a quick Google later confirms it’s not. Elena Ferrante isn’t even the authors real name! Despite this knowledge the book really feels authentic. Ferrante’s Naples fully immerses you. Life in the 50s was hard for both girls, violence was common and Elena mentions early on how close to home death always was. “Our world was like that, full of words that killed: croup, tetanus, typhus, gas, war, lathe, rubble, work, bomb, tuberculosis, infection.” 1950s Naples is a place and time I haven’t really read about before and Ferrante drew me in just like Lina does Elena.
Who is the friend?
I could really identify with Elena. Unconfident and shy around headstrong, intelligent Lina. The book is billed as a coming of age novel and you experience every agony Elena encounters. To always live in the shadow of Lina, the jealousy and self-doubt that provokes. To no longer feel like you fit in with your childhood friends whilst never feeling like you fit in with your peers at school. The not yet knowing where your place is in life. All of this contrasted brilliantly with Lina’s character. Lina who could walk into a room and suck all the air from it. She was all consuming and people were drawn to her like moths to a bulb. She did genuinely seem to like Elena though and I was surprised when the phrase ‘My Brilliant Friend’ was finally uttered. Ferrante showed us just enough under her brittle exterior to be able to like Lena and to want her to be happy. All of this amongst a Country that also was coming of age. Cars, televisions, expansion. Every where was progress, yet everywhere was still the past, the ‘before’.
To read or not to read?
I really enjoyed My Brilliant Friend. It’s not one you can rush through, (maybe due it being a translation?) which suited me fine in the limbo between Christmas and New Year. I was reminded of the song ‘Where Do You Go To My Lovely?’ with the Naples reference and Lina’s moments where she disappears into her head. The characters weave around you and you get the feeling life is not going to be kind for either girl going forwards. I’m usually not a fan of a series but this one is only 4 books long and I really enjoyed the first. I guess I’m on the fence about whether or not to read ‘The Story of a New Name’. Has anyone else read it?
