This is probably the best review of the series I’ve seen; the recent discussions I’ve seen from others tend to focus on the relationship without digging much deeper and seeing the broader tapestry. These were some of my favorites of the last decade. Thanks for your review, Sean, I’m tempted to go back and reread!
I read them as a single novel once when the 4th novel came out and again this summer when I started the HBO series. Having spent time in Naples recently where my grandfather left for America n 1905, I am more entrenched than ever.
It’s an excellent story and its magnificent review. Thanks to your analysis I’m obsessed with this novel more then I’ve ever could imagine. In my native language I couldn’t find speakers who could tell this history so narrowly and beautifully. I’ll add your channel in my favourite list.
I'm only halfway through the novels but man your reviews are always fantastic. Always appreciate your strong emphasis on in-depth thematic analysis. Thanks as always!
Thanks for this review. I have found so many negative or shallow reviews of these. I read that Ferrante's style is pedestrian. While I don't think her style is out of this world, I do feel these books are very important. I love exactly what you said, how the neighbourhood is paramount. Also, in a few reviews I've heard how Lila "makes a choice" to not study, which is total BS. As you said, girls are used as ponds to make connections; they are things/property. Her father throws her out of the window when she says she wants to study. Out of the window!!!! I don't know how anyone can miss that and mistake it as A CHOICE. Lila has very few choices. Her absolute brilliance is in the fact that amongst the few choices she has she manages to find a life. Thanks for the review. Thanks for giving these books the weight they deserve.
I really liked your review, congrats! I read vol 1-3 of the series and stopped because it seemed to me every volume was less convincing than the previous one. But I'll give it a try and read vol 4 thanks to your review, Sean. I enjoyed so much her previous romances, such as The days of abandonment.
Thank you, Clarissa! Interesting that you found the later volumes less and less convincing as I had the opposite experience. I really want to read her other books now - I'll seek out The Days of Abandonment! Thanks for the recommendation.
@@travelthroughstories Personally I have found all her other books disappointing, though I could not admire the Neapolitan Quartet more. It seems to me the other books traverse much of the same territory, but never in the perfect, compelling way of My Brilliant Friend .
This is a really great review. I am really keen to read these books now. I am intrigued by reclusive authors e.g. Donna Tartt - it means we only 'know' them through their works and that feels so unique in the current age?
Great review! Totally agree. The third book was so good. Can’t wait to get to the finale soon. Maybe next month. Been rationing them because I don’t want them to be over. It was wild too, because I rated the first one 5 stars and then kept reading and was like mmm 6 stars? 7 stars? Idk. I thought the dialogue between the first and second especially was phenomenal. Even as a duology they are perfect, to me.
Appreciate this video so much, after overspending on books so long, i am over the moon to conclude the spending binge with this author, could not help but get everything available, even the "children's book". She's somewhat of an Italian Clarice Lispector huh??!!
Haha, I have a feeling they wouldn't have sold as well if the covers reflected the contents of the books. But you'll come to appreciate the covers as jokes once you read them. I agree they are must-reads.
I can't help you with that one... haha. The spines are nice though! I'd be interested to hear what you make of them, especially as you've read Knausgård.
Very late, but I found it funny that in one of the books there is a comment about some books that are translated into other languages with horrible (I don't remember the exact term) photos of people in black and white. In Spanish there is a version with that type of covers that says almost nothing about the story too.
The cover photos aren't great, but the physical construction of these books, including the material used for the covers, is extremely nice, better than the vast majority of paperbacks.
Having initially refused to read this series because of bad cover art, it was actually the tv-series that won me over. I think the number of literary adaptations in series form that really works are limited, but right from the start, I found My Brilliant Friend to have some of the same qualities that makes Brideshead Revisited a classic. I think you touch on something profound when you talk of friendship as a mirror, because in literature, I really am struggling to think of accomplished books that center around two characters and their relationship without it becoming a more strict kind of romance, a meta-exploration or a philosophical treatise on the «duality of man». Not saying this series doesn't deal with those things, but it's also happening in the background, and I don't think I've ever felt so comfortable discussing characters directly - their motivations and choices - as in the Neapolitan novels. Usually, every kind of spoiler warning is a symbol of a literary disease to me, but here, I get the same feeling that Tolstoy apparently got writing about love (paraphrased): «My plan was for them to end up together, but the story refused to cooperate». The cover screamed meta-exploration of the modern romance feuilleton to me. I am so sick of that that I thought I'd leave this one to the critics, but getting into the story through the tv-series, I was simply mesmerized by the characters, the sense of time and place, and the pacing. The crafting-aspect is so expertly done from a classics-perspective that I was won over by the display of skill in record time. I still haven't read the novels, but I very much plan to do so. The major reason I haven't so far is the fact that I would really like to read them out loud to my girlfriend in norwegian (as we've watched the show together), but the novels are only available in nynorsk. This is beyond what you usually get from TH-cam-criticism quality wise, but did you have problems with the editing this time? There are a few details that stuck out to me. I also think you should either get a better set-up if you want to read directly into the camera or just fill the entire screen with text. The way you did it here with the split screen was confusing, and together with the editing making your reading not always corresponding with the words shown on the pages, and you some times seeming a bit stressed on camera (which to me in this context is endearing), I think it hurt communication a tiny bit. Thank you for doing this! Consider youself supported. :)
Thanks for your thoughts! I also was introduced to this series through the TV show. I watched the first season a few years ago and really enjoyed it - I haven't yet finished the show though. And thanks for criticisms. I only noticed one editing mistake concerning the text on screen and that was simply that it disappeared too early. I couldn't be bothered to re-render the video though as it takes hours and hours for my laptop to do so. As for looking stressed on camera, I can't do much about that. That's what I look like (though I was, to be fair, particularly sleep deprived for this recording but needed to record it anyways before the weekend). Thanks for the support!
I believe I was comparing Ferrante's Neapolitan novels with Karl Ove Knausgaard's My Struggle series (Karl Ove Knausgård's Min Kamp in Norwegian). I should have put this in the description, sorry!
Wow, I'm really glad that I've convinced someone to pick them up! I hope you love them as much as I did, Yahaira. Looking forward to hearing what you make of them.
He doesn't get the female relationships.. best friends, soul sisters.... this is a true evolution of close friendship... love jealousy, envy, trust, mistrust, lust, sexual confidence, sensuality, confidence, emotional strength, moral values, betrayal, vengeance,
Excellent review (as well as the others I've watched). I see Albinati's The Catholic School behind you, which is an excellent companion to the Neapolitan novels. I'm surprised it's not well known, since I'd say it's on the same level as these books or Knausgaard's. Based on some of the (dumbfoundingly bad) bad reviews on amazon and goodreads, it seems to have fallen into the wrong type of reader's hands, although there are some good ones that do it justice. It's an intense dissection of masculinity and misogyny, among other things. Like Ferrante or Knausgaard with the themes of institutional and cultural evil and horror from 2666. All this to say I hope you end up reviewing it.
Yes! I'm about 350 pages into it right now. It seemed like the perfect sequel or companion piece to Ferrante. It's really wonderful. I hope to do a review of it if I can narrow down my thoughts on it a bit - I think I already have enough notes on it to do a full video or two...
I am so sick of "feminist" books/topics. Just write a good book, please!! Maybe noone can find her cuz a man wrote it... 😆 I will take your word that this one is a worthy read.
This is probably the best review of the series I’ve seen; the recent discussions I’ve seen from others tend to focus on the relationship without digging much deeper and seeing the broader tapestry. These were some of my favorites of the last decade. Thanks for your review, Sean, I’m tempted to go back and reread!
Thank you so much! The really are incredible books - definitely one of the best series of the decade.
I read them as a single novel once when the 4th novel came out and again this summer when I started the HBO series. Having spent time in Naples recently where my grandfather left for America n 1905, I am more entrenched than ever.
It’s an excellent story and its magnificent review. Thanks to your analysis I’m obsessed with this novel more then I’ve ever could imagine. In my native language I couldn’t find speakers who could tell this history so narrowly and beautifully. I’ll add your channel in my favourite list.
I'm only halfway through the novels but man your reviews are always fantastic. Always appreciate your strong emphasis on in-depth thematic analysis. Thanks as always!
Thanks, Josh! I hope you're enjoying your ride - it keeps getting better and better!
This is a very comprehensive review. Just like the novels, you were able to explain so much with simplicity. Congratulations on achieving this feat!
Thanks for the kind words!
You read all four novels internally mispronouncing Lila as Lilia. Lee-la!
This ruined an otherwise very nice video for me, sorryyy
I'm stopping this video right now.
I've flirted with reading these for a while, have to say your review is moving them back up the list!
I'm glad to hear that! I think they're really worth your time.
Thanks for this review. I have found so many negative or shallow reviews of these. I read that Ferrante's style is pedestrian. While I don't think her style is out of this world, I do feel these books are very important. I love exactly what you said, how the neighbourhood is paramount. Also, in a few reviews I've heard how Lila "makes a choice" to not study, which is total BS. As you said, girls are used as ponds to make connections; they are things/property. Her father throws her out of the window when she says she wants to study. Out of the window!!!! I don't know how anyone can miss that and mistake it as A CHOICE. Lila has very few choices. Her absolute brilliance is in the fact that amongst the few choices she has she manages to find a life. Thanks for the review. Thanks for giving these books the weight they deserve.
That’s a brilliant review 🥰 thank you so much ❤
I really liked your review, congrats! I read vol 1-3 of the series and stopped because it seemed to me every volume was less convincing than the previous one. But I'll give it a try and read vol 4 thanks to your review, Sean. I enjoyed so much her previous romances, such as The days of abandonment.
Thank you, Clarissa! Interesting that you found the later volumes less and less convincing as I had the opposite experience. I really want to read her other books now - I'll seek out The Days of Abandonment! Thanks for the recommendation.
@@travelthroughstories Personally I have found all her other books disappointing, though I could not admire the Neapolitan Quartet more. It seems to me the other books traverse much of the same territory, but never in the perfect, compelling way of My Brilliant Friend .
This is a really great review. I am really keen to read these books now.
I am intrigued by reclusive authors e.g. Donna Tartt - it means we only 'know' them through their works and that feels so unique in the current age?
Sean it’s Lee-la, not Lilia. I greatly enjoyed your observations and look forward to watching your other videos.
Great review! Totally agree. The third book was so good. Can’t wait to get to the finale soon. Maybe next month. Been rationing them because I don’t want them to be over. It was wild too, because I rated the first one 5 stars and then kept reading and was like mmm 6 stars? 7 stars? Idk. I thought the dialogue between the first and second especially was phenomenal. Even as a duology they are perfect, to me.
Thanks! Agreed - I found the first book to be very good, but they somehow managed to get better. Interested to hear what you make of the final book!
Appreciate this video so much, after overspending on books so long, i am over the moon to conclude the spending binge with this author, could not help but get everything available, even the "children's book". She's somewhat of an Italian Clarice Lispector huh??!!
Your comment sent me down a previously-unknown rabbit hole. Thanks!
your thoughts on tina’s disappearance?
It’s LILA
@@lenoxlenox9447Tina is Lila’s daughter
You’ve sold me, but those covers… they…. Why?
you better read this series i swear to god
Haha, I have a feeling they wouldn't have sold as well if the covers reflected the contents of the books. But you'll come to appreciate the covers as jokes once you read them. I agree they are must-reads.
I can't help you with that one... haha. The spines are nice though! I'd be interested to hear what you make of them, especially as you've read Knausgård.
Very late, but I found it funny that in one of the books there is a comment about some books that are translated into other languages with horrible (I don't remember the exact term) photos of people in black and white. In Spanish there is a version with that type of covers that says almost nothing about the story too.
The cover photos aren't great, but the physical construction of these books, including the material used for the covers, is extremely nice, better than the vast majority of paperbacks.
Having initially refused to read this series because of bad cover art, it was actually the tv-series that won me over. I think the number of literary adaptations in series form that really works are limited, but right from the start, I found My Brilliant Friend to have some of the same qualities that makes Brideshead Revisited a classic. I think you touch on something profound when you talk of friendship as a mirror, because in literature, I really am struggling to think of accomplished books that center around two characters and their relationship without it becoming a more strict kind of romance, a meta-exploration or a philosophical treatise on the «duality of man». Not saying this series doesn't deal with those things, but it's also happening in the background, and I don't think I've ever felt so comfortable discussing characters directly - their motivations and choices - as in the Neapolitan novels. Usually, every kind of spoiler warning is a symbol of a literary disease to me, but here, I get the same feeling that Tolstoy apparently got writing about love (paraphrased): «My plan was for them to end up together, but the story refused to cooperate».
The cover screamed meta-exploration of the modern romance feuilleton to me. I am so sick of that that I thought I'd leave this one to the critics, but getting into the story through the tv-series, I was simply mesmerized by the characters, the sense of time and place, and the pacing. The crafting-aspect is so expertly done from a classics-perspective that I was won over by the display of skill in record time.
I still haven't read the novels, but I very much plan to do so. The major reason I haven't so far is the fact that I would really like to read them out loud to my girlfriend in norwegian (as we've watched the show together), but the novels are only available in nynorsk.
This is beyond what you usually get from TH-cam-criticism quality wise, but did you have problems with the editing this time? There are a few details that stuck out to me. I also think you should either get a better set-up if you want to read directly into the camera or just fill the entire screen with text. The way you did it here with the split screen was confusing, and together with the editing making your reading not always corresponding with the words shown on the pages, and you some times seeming a bit stressed on camera (which to me in this context is endearing), I think it hurt communication a tiny bit.
Thank you for doing this! Consider youself supported. :)
Thanks for your thoughts! I also was introduced to this series through the TV show. I watched the first season a few years ago and really enjoyed it - I haven't yet finished the show though.
And thanks for criticisms. I only noticed one editing mistake concerning the text on screen and that was simply that it disappeared too early. I couldn't be bothered to re-render the video though as it takes hours and hours for my laptop to do so. As for looking stressed on camera, I can't do much about that. That's what I look like (though I was, to be fair, particularly sleep deprived for this recording but needed to record it anyways before the weekend). Thanks for the support!
www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2016/07/elena-ferrante-covers-bad-no-good/488732/
ahh!! i really need to read these asap!!
They're really worth it!
Great review!
Thank you, Abhilash!
May i ask about the exact spelling of the name of the author mentioned in the beginning of the idea, and the series you referred to?
I believe I was comparing Ferrante's Neapolitan novels with Karl Ove Knausgaard's My Struggle series (Karl Ove Knausgård's Min Kamp in Norwegian). I should have put this in the description, sorry!
Whelp! I ordered the quartet because of you!! Will report back ☺️
Wow, I'm really glad that I've convinced someone to pick them up! I hope you love them as much as I did, Yahaira. Looking forward to hearing what you make of them.
He doesn't get the female relationships.. best friends, soul sisters.... this is a true evolution of close friendship... love jealousy, envy, trust, mistrust, lust, sexual confidence, sensuality, confidence, emotional strength, moral values, betrayal, vengeance,
Excellent review (as well as the others I've watched). I see Albinati's The Catholic School behind you, which is an excellent companion to the Neapolitan novels. I'm surprised it's not well known, since I'd say it's on the same level as these books or Knausgaard's. Based on some of the (dumbfoundingly bad) bad reviews on amazon and goodreads, it seems to have fallen into the wrong type of reader's hands, although there are some good ones that do it justice. It's an intense dissection of masculinity and misogyny, among other things. Like Ferrante or Knausgaard with the themes of institutional and cultural evil and horror from 2666. All this to say I hope you end up reviewing it.
Yes! I'm about 350 pages into it right now. It seemed like the perfect sequel or companion piece to Ferrante. It's really wonderful. I hope to do a review of it if I can narrow down my thoughts on it a bit - I think I already have enough notes on it to do a full video or two...
They go to retrieve the dolls right away, not weeks later.
They go into the basement right away, I mean. They go up the stairs a while later.
I am shocked to hear someone say these books are "about melodrama."
Terrific review! 🕊Spreading the gospel 🙏 haha
Yesss! I was thinking of you while reading them because I know how much you love them. Thank you!
Not the toxic masculinity gender norms nonsense again. Being a mother is not enough? What exactly does the average woman do that beats being a mother?
I am so sick of "feminist" books/topics. Just write a good book, please!!
Maybe noone can find her cuz a man wrote it... 😆
I will take your word that this one is a worthy read.
The author most likely is a couple - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domenico_Starnone
I suppose you don't know Elsa Morante, Natalia Ginzburg, Simone De Beauvoire or Virginia Woolf
🤮 @@francescofilippi2824