My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

A detailed novel set initially in the 1950, which focuses on two girls in a deprived, claustrophobic, over populated suburb of Naples.  The two girls meet at school where the tough and bright Lila bullies and befriends the writer Elena.  Lila taught herself to read at the age of three and despite her family continues to shine at school and yet, financial hardship and the lack of understanding of what an advantage an education could be to a girl of that time, her family fail to push her toward or into further education.  Elena, works at her education, seeing it as a way out of her life, she has the tentative support of her family and that makes all the difference.   The novel follows their lives as they change and move in different directions.

This book has been lauded, praised and adored on TV, paper and radio........So what did we think?  We couldn't see what all the fuss is about, yes it was detailed and the characters deeply drawn, but the story line failed to interest many of us in the group and a number found it dull, having said that a few loved it!  It did generate an interestingly wide discussion about womanhood, expectations and translations. 

Words used to describe it:  boring, compelling, interesting womanhood, febrile, poverty, underwhelming, over rated, puzzling popular, bland

Marks out of 10:  between 4 - 7

Next Book

The Chevalier by Mike Hobbs

The author of this book will be at the next meeting

I have a few hardback copies of the book at my house.  

Mike will sign them when he comes. Price £15.00 

Or download a digital copy.

Venue

Date: to be confirmed either 21 or 22 September.

Venue:  126 Harbord St