Elena Ferrante's books

Streets of Naples

Streets of Naples

Elena Ferrante is the pseudonym of an Italian writer who has been dazzling the world literary scene for almost two decades. Despite having started his literary work in the 90s, his career catapulted in 2012 after publishing The great friend, novel with which the tetralogy began Two friends. In 2018, after the success of the saga, HBO adapted it for TV with the name of the first book and so far 2 seasons have been broadcast.

With almost 20 years in the literary environment, the author has a catalog of nine novels, a children's story and an essay. His anonymity has not prevented him from conquering countless readers both in Italy and in the rest of the world. His latest novel, The lying life of adults (2020), was cataloged by Time as one of the best 100 books of the year.

Elena Ferrante's books

Harassing love (1992)

It is the first book by the Italian writer, which she dedicated to her mother. It was published in Spain with the name Annoying love (1996), translated by Juana Bignozzi. It is a novel set in Naples in the mid-XNUMXth century, has 26 chapters and is narrated in the first person. On its pages the relationship between a mother and her daughter is related — Amalia and Delia—.

Synopsis

On May 23, a corpse is found floating in the sea, after identifying the body it is confirmed that it is Amalia. The dire news reaches Delia's ears just on her birthday. That his mother turned up dead was what he had least expected to know just that day.

After the tragedy, Delia decides to return to her native Naples to investigate the event, as she was surprised that Amalia was only wearing a bra. Upon arriving in the city, it is not easy for him to face the past that he tried so hard to ignore, that complex childhood that he had decided to block in his mind.

As he unravels the mysteries surrounding the sinister, the truths they forged come to light your environment, your life and your personality, rawness that will make you see a new reality.

The dark daughter (2006)

It is the third novel of the literata. It was translated by Celia Filipetto and published in Spanish with the title The dark daughter (2011). It is a story told in the first person by its protagonist, Leda, and whose main theme is motherhood. The plot is set in Naples and unfolds over 25 short chapters.

Synopsis

Leda is a woman of almost 50 years, divorced and with two daughters: Bianca and Marta. She lives in Florence, and in addition to taking care of her girls, she works as an English literature teacher. Your routine life changes suddenly when her offspring decide to move to Canada with their father.

Phrase by Elena Ferrante

Phrase by Elena Ferrante

Women, far from feeling nostalgic, she sees herself spirit to do what you want, so goes on vacation to his native Naples.

While resting on the beach sharing with several local families, relive, unintentionally, his past. In that instant, invaded by unknowns that arrive in her memories, make a complex and risky decision.

The brilliant friend (2011)

It is the initial novel of the saga Two friends. Its Italian version was published in 2011. A year later it was translated into Spanish by Celia Filipetto and presented under the name: The great friend (2012) The plot is narrated in the first person and takes place in Naples in the last century. On this occasion, friendship is the basis of the story, and this has two young people as protagonists: Lenù and Lila.

Synopsis

Lenù and Lila have spent their childhood and youth in his hometown, an extremely poor place on the outskirts of Naples. The girls grew up together and their relationship has shifted between the friendship and rivalry typical of that age. Both have their dreams clear, they are convinced to overcome themselves and get out of that dark place. To achieve your ambitions, education will be the key.

Story of the lost child (2014)

The lost girl (2014) —title in Spanish— is the work that ends the tetralogy Two friends. The story takes place in the XNUMXst century in Naples and features Lenù and Lila in their adulthood. Both have taken different directions, which has caused them to distance themselves, but a new story of Lenù will unite them again. The story travels from the present day of these two women and makes a retrospection of their lives.

Synopsis

Lenù became a renowned writer, moved to Florence, got married and had children. However, their marriage fell apart. For her part, Lila had a different destiny, she did not manage to leave her village and she still struggles against the inequalities that prevail there. Lenù decides to start a new book and the subject made her return to Naples, which will allow her to meet her friend again..

La Vita bugiarda degli Adulti (2019)

After the success of the saga Two friends, Elena Ferrante presented The lying life of adults (2020). It is a story that has Giovanna as its protagonist and that takes place in Naples in the 90s. This novel has personal traits of Ferrante, who in a collective interview stated: “As a child I was a very liar. Around the age of 14, after many humiliations, I decided to grow up ”.

Synopsis

Phrase by Elena Ferrante

Phrase by Elena Ferrante

Giovanna is a 12-year-old girl which belongs to the Neapolitan bourgeoisie. One day he heard from his dad -Without him knowing- that she was an ugly girl, like her aunt Vittoria. Intrigued and confused by what she heard, she was able to see how adults are hypocrites and liars. Invaded by curiosity, she decided to look for this woman, in order to see first-hand what her father was referring to.

About the author, Elena Ferrante

Due to her anonymity, few biographical details are known about the Italian author. Many say that he was born in Naples in 1946 and that he currently lives in Turin.  Throughout her career, she is only known from a few interviews she has given through emails.

Anita Raja, the "writer" behind Elena Ferrante

In 2016, a woman named Anita Raja "confirmed" through a Twitter profile that she was the person behind the pseudonym. Through several messages, this person confessed to being the "writer" and asked that his privacy be respected, then deleted the account. However, a short time later Tommaso Debenedetti - sadly known for spreading fake interviews with celebrities - claimed the tweets, thus creating more doubts.

Debenedetti assured that he had met with Raja, and that she provided him with the information. Despite the dubious trajectory of the writer - who calls himself "The Italian Champion of Lies" - some journalists confirmed the theory. To do this, they inquired about where the copyright money was deposited and it was credited to an account of Anita Raja, which could confirm that it is her.


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