Helena Halme Author

Nordic Fiction with a hint of Noir and Romance

  • Books
  • Blog
  • Join My Launch Crew
  • New Novel Sneak Peek
  • Contact me
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Google+

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

April 8, 2016 by Helena Halme Leave a Comment

IMG_0676My heart sank when I opened ‘My Brilliant Friend’ and saw the ‘Index of characters’. I’d really been looking forward to reading this book, especially as I knew it was the first part in a series set in Italy – and had been written by a woman. All details that attracted me to ‘My Brilliant Friend.’ But a book which announces in its first pages that there are so many characters that the reader cannot possibly be expected to keep track on them all, and therefore needs an index, wasn’t a good start. I firmly believe that a good novel should have enough characters to make it interesting, but not so many that the reader is confused.

But I persevered, and as it turned out I didn’t need the index, and found ‘My Brilliant’ Friend an evocative and atmospheric novel.

The story starts when the two main characters, Elena and Lila are young girls, living in a poor, post 2nd World War community on the outskirts of Naples. They play with their dolls, go to school and grow up observing the patriarchal society change in front of their eyes.

The plot of the novel isn’t fast-paced, and lot of emphasis is put on small details, and the emotions of the narrator, Elena, who is constantly trying to keep up with her brilliant friend. But as the story develops, we are left to wonder which one of the girls is the more talented – brilliant – one.

I thoroughly enjoyed ‘My Brilliant Friend’ and have just started reading the next instalment in the series, ‘The Story of a New Name’.

Want to read more posts like this? Sign up to my Newsletter

You may also like:

It’s Publication Day New Book Trials and Tribulations Love on the Island Books 4-6 Boxed Set Books Set in Scandinavia

Tagged With: Book reviews, Books, characters, Elena Ferrante, plot, romance

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Pre-order offer

To Melt A Frozen Heart now 0.99 on pre-order

Free Story for my Readers Group only!

NEW NOVEL

Find out more

new

View Book

Alliance of Independent Authors /

Free Exclusive Bonus Chapter

looking for the self publishing coach?

Buy Direct from the author

Follow me on Instagram

Happy Monday! I started my week with Pilates @moss Happy Monday! I started my week with Pilates @mossymummy . Now wonderfully energized, I’m at my desk with coffee (naturally), running through the first edits of my Lapland book (cover and title reveal coming soon - watch this space 👀). 
I hope your week has kicked off well too!
☕️📘🤸‍♂️❤️
I’ve had a glut of tomatoes from the cherry toma I’ve had a glut of tomatoes from the cherry tomato plant, but not so many from the ‘big’ one. It’s very satisfying to eat fruit from your own #London balcony though! 🍅🪴
There’s nothing like meeting up with a good frie There’s nothing like meeting up with a good friend who also happens to be an amazing author! 
✍🏻🥰
Freddie @freddieppeters and I write in  different genres but we have so much in common. Our 3+ hour lunches are legendary.
🥂📚
Always prolific, Freddie has once again beat me to publishing her latest financial thriller, Book 2 in the Nancy Wu series, SON AND CRUSADER. I cannot wait to read it!
📘🕵️‍♀️
Do you have the holiday blues? Pick up a book and Do you have the holiday blues? Pick up a book and take yourself somewhere new. 
Reading is a vacation for the mind.📚❤️🚢🏝️😁📖
Load More Follow on Instagram

writing and publishing tips

Follow Me On Facebook

Facebook Pagelike Widget
Alliance of Independent Authors /

PRE-ORDER OFFER

free exclusive bonus chapters

Copyright © 2023 · Author Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in