Elena Ferrante - The Neopolitian Novels

[Todayissunny]

Anyone else?
I'm on the third book. Started the first less than a week ago. I keep thinking its going to get boring at some point, but I can't put it down.

I've always thought about starting these and wasn't sure - sounds like I should!

I read all 4 in about 3 weeks, that is really fast for me because I don't have much time to read these days. I didn't get much sleep while I read them, like you I just couldn't put them down.
The only other person I know who has read them is a male Swiss colleague of mine. I was at an airport in France with him a few weeks ago and he was really excited when he found the French translation of the 4th book at a book shop there. He started reading it on the plane.
It's not getting boring at any point.

I never read books twice, but this has so many levels to it that I think I might read it again....

Such a fabulous series. And when you are done with them, then I recommend - The Temptation to be Happy by Lorenzo Marone, also set in Naples, and thereafter you will want to visit the city!!!

I've just bought the first one cos of this thread :-)

Oh I'm reading the first one and finding it hard to keep up with all the characters , I am enjoying it though, mostly

tripfiction - I have wanted to visit Naples and the area (particularly Pompeii) for years, but not made it there yet.... I planned a trip last year, but (for different reasons) the dcs didn't want to go.... maybe next spring .. or I'll go alone for a few day (even better)

kaleidapop - the characters fall into place quite quickly.

I found the first one really difficult to get into. Think I gave up when the two girls still hadn't made it up the stairs to ring their neighbours' bell. Does it pick up pace? Should I give it another go?

@brokenshoes .... this scene is really important. It says so much about the girls' personalities, relationships, personalities in the neighbourhood, power structures and fear. Try reading on, you should get what it all means as you get to know the characters, story, style better. It's not a book to just read the surface story though.

It is not an easy read, no matter how gripping it is. And it's not made easier by the fact that there isn't really a fully sympathetic character in the entire book. Everybody, including Lenu, has some major flaws.

I read the first two. I found the first gripping in a way I couldn't really understand. I found the second more of a slog. And I find I'm not that bothered now - I doubt I'll read the next two.

I read the first one with high hopes, and was very disappointed. I didn’t like it. The stories are good but I disliked all of the characters.

I heard some of the later books on the radio dramatisation, and was glad I hadn’t bothered to continue reading the books

Read them all recently but only fell in love with them at the end of the first book. Thought there were only 3 and then couldn't find anything else to help, although the last book wasn't just as enjoyable for me.

Btw, I listened on audio but had to have it at 1.5 speed I think

I struggled with this series although I wanted to love it. I bought the first three novels but gave two and three away as I just couldn't face slogging through them. I can't put my finger on the problem; they just completely failed to engage me.

I loved the first book, but left it a while before reading the second and struggled to get into it. However, returned to the third last week and just devoured it - now just beginning the fourth.

However, I much prefer books where all the characters are flawed - I can't stand perfectly sympathetic heroines. But that's very much a personal taste thing.