Scan barcode
A review by aruarian_melody
The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The book itself wasn't a full 5 stars for me, but the whole series for sure is worth 5 stars.
Parts of this book were hard to read. The characters continue to encounter misery after misery and given their trauma and upbringing, they are not exactly likeable characters (except for Enzo, he held everything together). [SPOILER] The relationship of Nino and Elena was hard to read about, but I am glad that she figured everything out in the end. They all made questionable choices at some points, but there choices were also coloured by their environments.
I wouldn't say that I liked Elena, but her narration through everything was really interesting. The series really felt like reading a diary or having someone tell their live story to you. While that also means that we rely on a potentially unreliable narrator, it always felt like she did not try to paint herself in a good light compared to others.
Overall, the series completely pulled me in. I didn't love the first book, but was hooked after book 2, when the characters were a bit older. At some point I would love to read the series again, experiencing the first years with the hindsight of revelations in later books. I appreciated the discussions on mental health, feminism, motherhood, class and queer identities that were included in book 3 and 4. You could feel the world changing in the 50 or so years covered in the books.
Starting with book 3 I switched between a physical copy and the audiobook and I enjoyed the audiobook very much. I would recommend to not start with the audiobooks until you're more familiar with the huge cast of characters.
I have a feeling this series will stay with me for quite a while and I have already bought everything else Elena Ferrante has ever published.
Parts of this book were hard to read. The characters continue to encounter misery after misery and given their trauma and upbringing, they are not exactly likeable characters (except for Enzo, he held everything together). [SPOILER] The relationship of Nino and Elena was hard to read about, but I am glad that she figured everything out in the end. They all made questionable choices at some points, but there choices were also coloured by their environments.
I wouldn't say that I liked Elena, but her narration through everything was really interesting. The series really felt like reading a diary or having someone tell their live story to you. While that also means that we rely on a potentially unreliable narrator, it always felt like she did not try to paint herself in a good light compared to others.
Overall, the series completely pulled me in. I didn't love the first book, but was hooked after book 2, when the characters were a bit older. At some point I would love to read the series again, experiencing the first years with the hindsight of revelations in later books. I appreciated the discussions on mental health, feminism, motherhood, class and queer identities that were included in book 3 and 4. You could feel the world changing in the 50 or so years covered in the books.
Starting with book 3 I switched between a physical copy and the audiobook and I enjoyed the audiobook very much. I would recommend to not start with the audiobooks until you're more familiar with the huge cast of characters.
I have a feeling this series will stay with me for quite a while and I have already bought everything else Elena Ferrante has ever published.