The Story of a New Name: youth (Neapolitan Quartet, 2)

I couldn’t put it down, even better than the first book for me.

Wonderful book that draws you into the life and emotion of a young woman. Highly recommended. I loved it very much.

This second book in the series continues with awareness raising of the awful poverty trap and constraints on potential. Main characters are fascinating in their own ways but Lila in particular was subject to such small mindedness and sheer nastiness and despite enormous personal capabilities not able to overcome external constraints.

Wonderful insights into Italian life after 2nd world war. In particular follows two girls growing up in a poor district of Naples, their families, their loves and losses. Great read. Kath Jenkin

Having enjoyed the first book in the series this was equally good, no 2nd book flop. Like the first it is captivating and descriptive detail amongst broader themes are superb.

I loved the story and couldn’t stop reading the book. I continued to read part 2,3&4 to get to know what happens to Lila and Elena and their friends. Recommend the book and now looking for more books from the same author.

Fascinating study of character portrayals; dominated by Lila for whom all sympathy went for me. Captivating, hard to put down.

The whole story, all the books, are well written, and make me feel like I am part of the family, living their life and struggles with them!

سيء سيء سيء الكتاب جاء مايل

Sehr gut Buch

The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante is a little challenging to review—most notably for how unpredictable and stellar it is. After finishing Book 1 of the Neapolitan Quartet, I was under the impression that I could foresee how the story would progress—how the often frenemies and often best friends, Lila and Elena, would navigate their journeys. I’d like to acknowledge that I was wrong—but I’m not disappointed. The narrative world of the book is addictive in true Elena Ferrante fashion. The premise is intriguing, and it is almost nostalgic to read about the lives of adult Elena and Lila, especially considering how much they’ve grown, lived, and continue to experience in this second book. It’s one of those books that leaves you spellbound hours after you finish it. I did find the middle section of the book somewhat redundant and a little harder to get through. It’s utterly heart-wrenching at times. The brutality of the domestic abuse Lila has to confront is gruesome. As a reader who especially enjoys the personality and inner world of the narrator, Elena, her emotional betrayal at the hands of her best friend was very hard to fathom. However, I’m pleased with the direction her journey took, and by the end, I could clearly see why things had to unfold the way they did. It further reaffirms why Ferrante is a bona fide writer who truly commands her literary narratives and in-depth prose. It’s safe to say I’ve become very fond of the book. I’m eager to discover what the next instalments in the series have in store for me. This book, in particular, is a tearjerker.

I liked book 2 better that the first! Also, good quality for a used book.

Received this copy in excellent condition.