My Brilliant Friend: The International No. 1 Bestseller (Neapolitan Quartet, 1)

Brilliantly written account of childhood & youth in Naples among ordinary people. The dramas and daily pressures are well described. Truly absorbing (still reading do not finished yet).

Such an easily read book, yet full of carefully observed nuances of the human condition experienced by two young girls. Set in a very poor neighbourhood of Naples in the 1950s, it reflects the period and place so well. A story of their close friendship, experiences, and their journey of self discovery and aspirations to escape their grinding poverty. Beautifully and very sensitively written, it is surely autobiographical; a must for nomination for the Nobel Prize for Literature.

A great story. I bought this book after watching the series on tv. I have now begun to rewatch the series to compare with the book which it appears to mirror closely.

Well written account of growing up in Naples in the late 1950s. Tells the story of 2 girls who struggle to deal with the expectations of their families and friends and their growing sense of their own separate identities.

Beautifully written showing how childhood experiences and fantasies influence real life opportunities of clever children in the social setting of growing up in a poor district of Naples.

Arrived in good time. Brilliant story and bought as gifts

This book started me reading regularly again. Elena Ferrante restored my faith in writers. She is the real thing. Read it and enjoy ( and be enlightened- as you always are from a very good writer)

Prompt service. Lovely book. I had always wanted ro read the Napoli novels by Elena Ferrante.

Best novel(s) and tv adaptation of 21st century.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were so well written. I saw the television version first. I was intrigued so I bought the series. The books were just as wonderful. Both girls were brilliant in their own ways. I felt they helped each other grow It is interesting that each every culture there is someone who is so special that is so limited by their birth circumstances. One of the friends was a genuis that everyone recognized as special. But, because she was female was trapped in her humble surroundings. It is tragic to see a great mind stifled and never reach it full potential. There are so many nuances to the characters in this and all the books. I felt it was a good read.