• The Story of a New Name: The Neapolitan Novels, Book 2

  • By: Elena Ferrante
  • Narrated by: Hilary Huber
  • Length: 19 hrs and 4 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (20 ratings)

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The Story of a New Name: The Neapolitan Novels, Book 2

By: Elena Ferrante
Narrated by: Hilary Huber
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Publisher's Summary

The Story of a New Name is an extraordinary novel about two young women, Lila and Elena, growing up in Naples in the early 1960s.

At 16 Lila marries the shopkeeper Stefano. She is filled with pleasure at her new wealth and horror at the life she has chosen.

Elena’s own attempts at romance seem to be sabotaged by Lila’s turbulent affairs. As she tries to plot her way out of poverty via academic and literary success, her constant anxiety is that she is just a shadow of the brilliant Lila.

The sequel to My Brilliant Friend, The Story of a New Name continues the enthralling chronicle of a friendship that is obsessive, loving, complicated, hurtful, enduring and constantly startling. It is an exhilarating experience.

©2012 Edizioni E/O (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Ferrante’s writing has no limits, is willing to take every thought forward to its most radical conclusion and backward to its most radical birthing." ( The New Yorker)
"Elena Ferrante will blow you away." (Alice Sebold)

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What listeners say about The Story of a New Name: The Neapolitan Novels, Book 2

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Profile Image for Lena Rasmussen
  • Lena Rasmussen
  • 10-16-15

Brilliant !

loved the story, loved the way it was written and narrated. will certainly buy a sequel.

1 person found this helpful

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Profile Image for M. Owens
  • M. Owens
  • 12-26-20

engrossing Delight

I'm really enjoying the Neapolitan series. it's so rare to be able to follow the story of a friendship of two girls (who become women throughout) who are so insightful intelligent complex and different.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Ellen Brown
  • Ellen Brown
  • 11-15-20

A superb book ruined by the narrator.

the narrator of this book has a very strong, totally inappropriate American accent. a great shame as the book otherwise is wonderful.

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Profile Image for Anonymous User
  • Anonymous User
  • 10-17-19

Highly recommended

Complex real characters who you will love and dislike in equal measure. Sad and gritty story. Every page beautifully written. I am biased due to my Neapolitan heritage, but I confirm it’s authenticity and would recommend it to anyone.

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Profile Image for Julie V. Purdey
  • Julie V. Purdey
  • 08-01-19

Soul destroying story.

I enjoyed the narrative but found the story long-winded and somewhat lacking in any joy. I struggled to emphasis with any of the characters.

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Profile Image for Susan Carr
  • Susan Carr
  • 03-18-19

brilliant

I was trapped and couldn't put it away. I loved the reader, she did the story justice. It is a beautiful story of 2 people confined in their world and how they survive in post WW2 Italy.

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  • marina novelli
  • 01-27-19

Narrator was terrible

Mispronunciation of names even of the main character changing from Lila to Lina - very distracting and also bad italian pronunciation. However I was totally addicted to the story and had to listen to the entire collection. I felt it was very real in terms of characters, the terrible things that poverty can make you endure, the corruption and power that exists in all societies particularly where there is lack of education and great disparity between rich and poor. Well done to the author.

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  • TIMOTHY
  • 10-18-18

Perfect reader for this series

Hilary Huber is perfect match for this series. Love the books and her reading and pronunciation of al the Italian places/things

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Profile Image for Babs Moy
  • Babs Moy
  • 02-08-18

better than the first?

Yes. Wonderful, gripping. I am with her at every turn. Vunerable, questioning. Was Naples really like this?

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Profile Image for Anonymous User
  • Anonymous User
  • 07-30-17

Engaging story

I really loved the first book and have thoroughly enjoyed the second!
The characters are exceptionally written and I couldn't wait to get in the car to listen to the progression of the story.