Summary
My Brilliant Friend marked the debut of Elena Ferrante's acclaimed Neapolitan Novels series. Published in 2011, this captivating novel explores the complex friendship between two young women, Elena and Lila, against the backdrop of Naples, Italy, in the 1950s. Ferrante's vivid prose, intricate character development, and deft exploration of social class and personal identity have earned the novel widespread accolades and a devoted global readership.
Elena Ferrante is a pseudonym, and the author’s decision to remain anonymous has only added to the intrigue and excitement surrounding the Neapolitan Novels. The popularity of My Brilliant Friend inspired a highly praised television adaptation. Produced as a joint venture between HBO, RAI, and TIMvision, the series premiered in 2018.
Plot
Set in a working-class neighborhood of Naples in the 1950s, My Brilliant Friend follows the lives of two young girls, Elena “Lenù” Greco and Raffaella “Lila” Cerullo. The story begins when Elena, now in her 60s, learns of Lila's disappearance and starts recounting their shared history from childhood. The narrative traces their friendship from age six to 16, exploring their intellectual rivalry and the complex social dynamics of their neighborhood.
As the girls grow older, their paths begin to diverge. Elena continues her education beyond elementary school, supported by her teachers and family. She even spends a summer vacation on the island of Ischia, where she reconnects with her childhood crush, Nino Sarratore. Lila, despite her exceptional intelligence, is forced to abandon formal schooling to work in her family's shoe repair shop. She attempts to persuade her father and brother to produce shoes she had designed, showcasing her ambition and creativity.
The novel delves into the limitations imposed on the girls by their social class and gender. Lila's beauty and fierce intelligence attract numerous suitors, including Marcello Solara, the son of a powerful local Camorra family. To escape an unwanted marriage to Marcello, Lila agrees to marry Stefano Carracci, the son of a local grocer, at the age of 16.
The story culminates with Lila's wedding, an event that marks a significant turning point in both girls' lives. During the celebration, a revelation about Stefano's true nature shatters Lila's hopes for a better life. This moment serves as a powerful conclusion to the first installment of Ferrante's Neapolitan Novels, setting the stage for the complex journey of friendship and personal growth that continues in the subsequent books.
Themes
Complex female friendship and rivalry
Social class and limited mobility in post-war Italy
Education as a means of empowerment and escape
Gender roles and societal expectations for women
Coming of age and identity formation
Impact of environment on personal development
Power dynamics within families and communities
Setting
Set primarily in a working-class neighborhood on the outskirts of Naples, Italy, My Brilliant Friend vividly captures the socioeconomic landscape of post-World War II Italy. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a nation in transition, struggling to rebuild and modernize in the wake of fascism and conflict. Ferrante's meticulous portrayal brings to life the narrow streets, crowded tenements, and vibrant community life that define this Neapolitan district.
The novel spans the 1950s and early 1960s, a period marked by Italy's economic boom and rapid industrialization. This era of change, and its tensions between tradition and progress, serves as a crucial backdrop to the coming-of-age journeys of the two protagonists, Elena and Lila. While rooted in their Naples neighborhood, the story occasionally ventures outside of its familiar confines. Elena's summer trip to the nearby island of Ischia, for example, offers glimpses of a world of possibilities beyond their rigid working-class existence. These forays into other locales serve to underscore the limited horizons faced by many of the characters, particularly the ambitious and brilliant Lila.
Characters
Elena Greco (Lenù): The narrator and one of the two main protagonists. Elena is studious, introspective, and often insecure. She pursues education as a means of escaping her working-class background. Her complex friendship with Lila drives much of the narrative, characterized by admiration, rivalry, and deep connection.
Raffaella Cerullo (Lila): The second main protagonist and Elena's brilliant friend. Lila is fiercely intelligent, rebellious, and charismatic. Despite her exceptional abilities, she is forced to leave school early to work in her family's shoe shop. Her life takes a different path from Elena's, culminating in an early marriage.
Maestra Oliviero: The girls' elementary school teacher. She recognizes Elena's potential and encourages her academic pursuits. Maestra Oliviero plays a crucial role in Elena's educational journey.
Stefano Carracci: The son of a local grocer who becomes Lila's husband. Initially seen as a potential escape for Lila, his true nature is revealed at their wedding.
Nino Sarratore: A childhood friend and Elena's crush. Nino is intelligent and politically engaged, representing a different world from their neighborhood.
Rino Cerullo: Lila's older brother. He works in the family shoe shop and is involved in Lila's attempts to create a new shoe design.
Marcello Solara: A member of a powerful local family. He pursues Lila aggressively, leading to her decision to marry Stefano instead.
Fernando Cerullo: Lila's father, who owns the shoe repair shop. He refuses to allow Lila to continue her education despite her exceptional abilities.
Quick facts
My Brilliant Friend is the first of four novels in the acclaimed Neapolitan Novels series.
Elena Ferrante is a pseudonym—the true identity of the author of the Neapolitan Novels remains unknown.
My Brilliant Friend was originally published in Italian in 2011 under the title “L'amica geniale."
The English translation by Ann Goldstein was published in 2012.
The novel is set primarily in a working-class neighborhood of Naples during the 1950s.
In 2019, The Guardian ranked My Brilliant Friend as the 11th best book of the 21st century.
A 2024 survey by The New York Times Book Review named it the best book of the 21st century.
My Brilliant Friend was adapted into an HBO television series of the same name, which premiered in 2018 to high praise.
The novel's success sparked a global literary phenomenon known as “Ferrante Fever."
About the Author
Elena Ferrante is the pseudonym of an acclaimed Italian novelist whose true identity remains a closely guarded secret. Born in Naples, Ferrante has authored seven novels, including the internationally bestselling Neapolitan Quartet. Her works, originally published in Italian, have been translated into over 40 languages and earned her widespread critical acclaim, with TIME magazine naming her one of the 100 most influential people in 2016.
Ferrante's most famous work is the four-part Neapolitan Novels series, beginning with My Brilliant Friend in 2012. The novels follow the complex friendship between two women, Elena and Lila, from childhood in 1950s Naples through adulthood. The series has been praised for its vivid portrayal of female friendship, Italian society, and the struggles of women in a patriarchal culture. In 2024, My Brilliant Friend was ranked as the best book of the 21st century by The New York Times.
Despite her literary success, Ferrante has steadfastly maintained her anonymity since her 1992 debut. She argues that “books, once they are written, have no need of their authors” and that her anonymity is crucial to her writing process. This secrecy has sparked much speculation and controversy, with various theories about her true identity proposed and debated in the media and literary circles.
