My Brilliant Friend

The Neapolitan Novels, Book 1

By: Elena Ferrante

Narrated by: Hillary Huber

Length: 12 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Now an HBO series: the first volume in the New York Times bestselling “enduring masterpiece” (The Atlantic) about a lifelong friendship between two women from Naples

Beginning in the 1950s in a poor but vibrant neighborhood on the outskirts of Naples, Elena Ferrante’s four-volume story spans almost sixty years, as its main characters, the fiery and unforgettable Lila and the bookish narrator, Elena, become women, wives, mothers, and leaders, all the while maintaining a complex and at times conflicted friendship.

This first novel in the series follows Lila and Elena from their fateful meeting as ten-year-olds through their school years and adolescence. Through the lives of these two women, Ferrante tells the story of a neighborhood, a city, and a country as it is transformed in ways that, in turn, also transform the relationship between two women.

©2012 GO Team! Enterprises (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Hillary Huber's subtly shaded performance couldn't be better as she reveals the complexities that separate and connect the two women.... Huber's delivery of this well-plotted, absorbing story of friendship will leave listeners wanting more." (AudioFile)

Parte Uno Dei Quattro--It's Worth it to Keep Goin'

I thought I'd chime in on this little novel to say to readers this first part of the so-called Neapolitan novels is worth reading to get to the really good stuff in parts 2, 3 and 4. Do NOT Give Up. I thought about abandoning this about halfway through it. I found books 2-4 addictive.

The author considers the 4 parts as just one novel (it was divided by the publisher into 4 parts). As such, it's really hard to rate My Brilliant Friend as a novel on its on. No doubt, one must read this to fully appreciate and enjoy parts 2, 3 and 4. Here, all the characters and conflicts are introduced as is the poor and violent neighborhood on the Naples outskirts, in itself a character as a magnet where the families live and so many things happen over the course of the books, as it stands at the foot of the infamous Mount Vesuvius, the only active volcano on mainland Europe.

Think of it like this: can you think of a great lengthy novel that if you read only 1/4 of it as a stand-alone novel, you'd love it and give it 5 stars. This wasn't written, or intended, to be read as a novel. This one, very similar to the first 1/4 of all really good lengthy novels, is mostly setup, introductions, character development up to, well, up to the teen years of the two main characters.

Viewed as one novel, it's a bildungsroman following the lives of Elena (called “Lenù”) Greco (the novel is told in the first person recollections of Elena) and her razor-sharp, but enigmatic, best friend Raffaella (“Lila”) Cerullo, from childhood, here in My Brilliant Friend, to adulthood.

I'd give this 3 stars as a stand-alone. Yet since it's really the first part of a single novel, I'll give it 4 stars because I'd give the novel an overall 4.5.

The narrator takes a little getting used to, but you'll find that she's perfect as you get into books 2, 3 and 4.

Fantastic!

Ms. Ferrante's ability to capture the generational mood & nuance of that period of time while at the same time interweaving timeless elements (ie, rites of passage, etc) is phenomenal. The story is just as compelling in English as in Italian.

The performance was great as well, The few, minor pronunciation slips (occasionally substituting "Leye-la" for "Lee-la") were totally eclipsed by the narrator's fantastic ability to consistently give each character their own credible voice.

I look forward to seeing more of Ms. Ferrante's books on Audible! Maybe someday the original Italian versions could be made available as well.

Close observation of a rich friendship

Rich in detail about the internal and external struggles and triumphs of 2 girls growing up in Naples. Moving on to the 2nd book immediately

Trying to understand the appeal of this book.

Well narrated, but a completely mundane story. Most people I know had childhood experiences vastly more colorful. The Naples setting is a plus, but a plot it doesn't make. Have no intention of tackling any more of what I think will be a boring, self absorbed tetralogy.

Don't Know What all the Fuss is About

I listened to the whole book, but didn't enjoy it. Half way through, I still held onto the belief that it would get better. I cannot figure out why this is such a well-received and praised book. I thought it was very dull and dragged on and on with so many repetitive moments. There were too many characters to keep straight and they were underdeveloped. I will not be reading books 2-4.

Spoiler Alert: hated the end

Won’t reveal why out of courtesy to other readers. But loved it overall. Excellently written.

Excellent, but...

Great story! I can identify many experiences in my childhood and adolescence growing up in Italy, my academic accomplishments in a family of modest means, and my friends less successful in school, but wealthy. I just wish Hillary Huber had taken the time to learn the proper pronunciation of Italian names and words. Her mispronunciation made me cringe, and was the only annoying element in this audiobook.

overall not so brilliant

What did you like best about My Brilliant Friend? What did you like least?

It's not to my taste, too simple a story, too predicatable.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

didnt finish it

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

wasnt impressed

Did My Brilliant Friend inspire you to do anything?

not read anymore of this author

Any additional comments?

Im just doing this so I dont get recommendations for books like this. I'm just not in the mood for this kind of story.

Loved this Series

loved this series, was interesting to view Italy through the eyes of a young girl and be with her as she grew into a woman

Surprise!

At the conclusion of this very enjoyable tale, I was completely perplexed. I thought I had missed something entirely and was preparing to listen again to the final chapters. Thank you, Audible, for the notification that this book is the first in a series. Guess I'd better keep listening!