"i was silent, overflowing with anger, like the smooth, frozen surface of a lake under which the water rages torrentially."

i really loved this book! it was such a fascinating character study and exploration of alessandra's relationship with the people in her life, as well as the patriarchy. the language was descriptive but not too flowery, and i found alessandra to be a fascinating, complicated protagonist. multiple times as i read, i found myself reading over 100 pages in a single sitting because i was just so interested to see what would happen next. 

i highly recommend this novel to fans of elena ferrante or anyone who wants to read an intricate character study of a woman growing up and rebelling against the constraints of society!