AJ Dunn Reads

  The Story of a New Name By Elena Ferrante DNF

  My Brilliant Friend By Elena Ferrante The first book in the Neapolitan Quartet. This begins the story of Elena and Lila as they grow up on the streets of Naples, where the two become friends as little girls in the 1950s amidst a world that is changing. Elena idolizes Lila and looks up to her, even though she knows Lila is sometimes mean. Yet, the girl is sure of herself and everyone admires her, despite the fact that Elena outdoes her in educational attainment and (as she cites) her maturing faster than Lila. The story is a coming of age that is full of misogyny and competition, where the girls both help each other to get along and work against each other in little ways that force them to better themselves. We learn about the several families in their circle, as well as the importance of how you look to others. As neighbors do, they gossip and talk behind each others' backs, but they also help each other when necessary. I can't say I loved it, but I'm curious to see where...

  The Days of Abandonment By Elena Ferrante   Olga's husband Mario leaves her, abandoning her, their two children, and the dog to live with a much younger woman. Olga descends into a depressive state, breaks apart, and learns how to pull herself together when her dog dies and her son becomes ill. The Days of Abandonment is about Olga's inner struggle with herself and her loss, and her feelings of being abandoned by Mario, asking herself what happened, whose fault it was, and what kind of a woman/person she is and wants to be. Olga is psychically traumatized by these events, but comes out on the other side after a deep bout of violent thoughts and actions directed both outward and inward. This was a deep character study of a woman in turmoil, working through infidelity. It didn't hit me hard, though there were strong moments of tension. The writing was strong and at times intense, with vivid descriptions of violence that did not shirk or shy away from the filth of living an...