This was the last book I’ve had to read for class, and I can honestly say this barely feels like homework anymore. I might even read the other books in this series. This blog was written on the beach, next to my bestest friends, with none of whom I have a relationship like Lenu and Lila’s, thank goodness. I’m feeling the most beautiful and romantic vibes right now, and have included pictures of this lovely evening I’m having 🙂
A word that came into my mind while reading this book was polycule, cause omg they’re all dating each other. Great book though, I enjoyed reading it very much!
Throughout this book, Lenu’s definition of success seemed to change constantly, as she bases the concept on whatever Lila is interested in at the time, “I soon had to admit that what I did by myself couldn’t excite me, only what Lila touched became important” pg 100 , or at least what she perceives to be catching Lila’s attention, although she is most often wrong. The competition between the two girls begins through academics, where Lenu is merely hoping to hold on to her second place position compared to Lila who effortlessly remains number one, but the tables turn when Lila is not allowed to attend middle school, and Lenu soon stops trying as hard as she used to, “Above all, I came home with the impression that, not spending my days in a shoemaker’s shop, having for a father a banal porter instead, I was excluded from a rare privilege. I began to feel that my presence in class was pointless.” pg 99.  She instead finds herself obsessing over shoes, reflecting Lila’s new passion. However, when it comes to light that Lila has been teaching herself Latin, and begins to tutor Lenu, her passion for school reemerges, “School began again and right away I did well in all the subjects. I couldn’t wait for Lila to ask me to help her in Latin or anything else, and so, I think, I studied not so much for school as for her.” pg 112. This time, there is some self-awareness of the fact her interest stems from a need to impress or serve a use to her friend. This cycle continues as the girls grow up and boys begin to express interest in them. “And yet I had now a single true thought: to find a boyfriend, immediately, before Lila announced to me that she was going with Pasquale.” pg 157.  Throughout this book, for Lenu, the constant themes of comparison, envy and a sense of inferiority to her best friend emerge, however I’d like the opportunity to consider Lila’s point of view, as I’m sure there are parts of Lenu’s life that she finds herself envious over, such as the opportunity to educate herself, and a more supportive family.
My question this week is, would Lenu have gone so far in school without the friendship, or competition of Lila?
