I think this is my favourite book of my contract. I mean, considering there’s only one book left, I’m fairly confident in saying that this is my favourite （´∇｀”）After so many books where perhaps the sentences were a bit complicated, or where the scenes jumped around in time, it was great to read a book that is both more recent and straightforward. That’s not to say the writing wasn’t beautiful, though; I really liked the way Ferrante wrote the voice of Elena!
I absolutely love the friendship Elena and Lila have! It’s such a complicated mixture of caring for each other and being jealous of one another, while always thinking the other one is better in an admiring way. Elena started as the one always behind Lila, always chasing her, pretending to be just as brave as her, and trying so hard in school to achieve what Lila seems to have already obtained. This causes her to be competitive, and then the situation suddenly flips. Now, the more academically talented Lila stays behind while Elena continues school. But Lila doesn’t simply accept, and (at least for a while) tries her hardest to stay ahead in secret. The betrayal(?) that Elena feels when she realises Lila had been studying over the summer (and also when she realises Lila may have tried to take away her chance to go to school) feels so real and so complex (╥﹏╥) Lila says many things that jab at Elena as well, showing her bitterness at not having that same schooling opportunity, yet they continue their friendship, with Elena seeing Lila as still better than her in so many facets.
(huge tangent: Elena always being behind Lila at the start reminded me a bit of what Armin said in Attack on Titan season 4 (I made the text the same colour as the background so you can choose to avoid spoilers ( ദ്ദി ˙ᗜ˙ ) highlight it to see!): when talking with Zeke in the Paths, he said something like “maybe I was born to chase Eren and Mikasa up that hill” (╥‸╥) now I want to watch the whole show again)
As such, I feel like Elena is slightly unreliable in her recounting, as she really puts Lila up on a pedestal, while often not realising that Lila seems to admire her equally? Like, I know the title of “my brilliant friend” is said from Lila to Elena, but it feels a lot more like they see each other as their brilliant friend.
It also made me sad that Lila lost her opportunity to continue school because of her family, mainly her father’s views ᕙ( ᗒᗣᗕ )ᕗ I know it’s historically accurate, which only makes me wonder how many women in real life never got to pursue what they showed great potential in. Although I imagine this question has been asked many times before, it is still the one on the top of my head: how do you think their friendship would change if they succeeded in continuing school together?
I am absolutely buying this entire series in the summer, and maybe I’ll watch the show too! I’m super excited to hear everyone’s thoughts (>ᗜ<)
See you on Wednesday!
Julie ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ
7 replies on “Ferrante – a brilliant friendship”
awesome that you loved the friendship, i did as well, i like your wording mixture of caring and jealousy and “yet they continue”, very insightful!
what would happen if they both were at school? same as if they both dropped out and got married i think, the events would be different but the friendship would continue deep
“I absolutely love the friendship Elena and Lila have!” This could generate a lot of controversy, as I’ve read on several blogs! There’s a nuance you introduce that I find interesting and that further fuels the debate: “Betrayal?” It appears from the very first pages, and the novel concludes with this same theme. How important will it be to the overall plot?
Hiii Julie, I really liked reading your blog post. I also agree that the narration is a bit unreliable but I think that’s also what makes it relatable.
I like the question that you asked. I think that they would have learned to deal with their jealousy towards eachother and they would have supported one another, especially with both of them being women.
I love this take so much, especially the way you described their friendship as both admiration and lowkey competition at the same time because that’s exactly what makes it feel so real. I also agree that Elena kind of puts Lila on a pedestal, but it’s so interesting because you can tell Lila sees something in Elena too, even if she doesn’t say it as openly. The part about Lila losing her chance at school actually made me so sad too, like it really shows how much circumstances shape who they become. And your question is so good because I feel like if they stayed in school together, their rivalry might’ve gotten even more intense but maybe also more balanced in a weird way.
Hi Julie! I love the ᕙ( ᗒᗣᗕ )ᕗ and definitely feel the same towards Lila’s father. Literally the second I read it, my thought was ‘I haven’t read a single book for this course that didn’t have some sort of abusive character’, which is just sad. But any ways, answering your discussion question. I think the jealousy would have definitely decreased. It would have been less of Elena trying to keep up with Lila (at least academically) and hopefully more of them studying together. I feel as if Carmila would have not been needed as a character. At least not in an follower of Lina capacity. She would be both of their friends and not close to one or the other (hopefully).
Hi Julie!! I think if they both had the opportunity to go to school together, it would’ve been a friendly competition between them. both would fuel each other to grow. I feel like there’s been a sense of envy from the start and maybe evening the ground would have helped. On the other hand, I also feel if they both went to school together, Elena wouldn’t have been rhetorical “brilliant friend”- Lila would have taken up centre stage and maybe Elena would be calling Lila, her brilliant friend.