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A modern masterpiece from one of Italy’s most acclaimed authors, My Brilliant Friend is a rich, intense and generous-hearted story about two friends, Elena and Lila. Ferrante’s inimitable style lends itself perfectly to a meticulous portrait of these two women that is also the story of a nation and a touching meditation on the nature of friendship. Through the lives of these two women, Ferrante tells the story of a neighbourhood, a city and a country as it is transformed in ways that, in turn, also transform the relationship between her two protagonists.
Re-reading this and it's even better the second time but gosh, the girls' relationship has some really unhealthy aspects. I remember this from before but had forgotten how it's true right from the get-go, when they're tiny. I suppose largely due to where and how they grew up. The clarity of the writing/translation is stunning.