Genre Fiction
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The Neapolitan Novels Boxed Set
The complete four-volume boxed set of the New York Times–bestselling epic about hardship and female friendship in postwar Naples that has sold over five million copies.
Beginning with My Brilliant Friend, the four Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante follow Elena and Lila, from their rough-edged upbringing in Naples, Italy, not long after WWII, through the many stages of their lives―and along paths that diverge wildly. Sometimes they are separated by jealousy or hostility or physical distance, but the bond between them is unbreakable, for better or for worse.
This volume includes all four novels: My Brilliant Friend; The Story of a New Name; Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay; and The Story of the Lost Child.
"Imagine if Jane Austen got angry and you'll have some idea of how explosive these works are." ―The Australian
"Nothing you read about Elena Ferrante's work prepares you for the ferocity of it." ―The New York Times
"An enduring masterpiece." ―The Atlantic
Beginning with My Brilliant Friend, the four Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante follow Elena and Lila, from their rough-edged upbringing in Naples, Italy, not long after WWII, through the many stages of their lives―and along paths that diverge wildly. Sometimes they are separated by jealousy or hostility or physical distance, but the bond between them is unbreakable, for better or for worse.
This volume includes all four novels: My Brilliant Friend; The Story of a New Name; Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay; and The Story of the Lost Child.
"Imagine if Jane Austen got angry and you'll have some idea of how explosive these works are." ―The Australian
"Nothing you read about Elena Ferrante's work prepares you for the ferocity of it." ―The New York Times
"An enduring masterpiece." ―The Atlantic
Editorial Reviews
Praise for Elena Ferrante and The Neapolitan Novels
The United States
"Ferrante's novels are intensely, violently personal, and because of this they seem to dangle bristling key chains of confession before the unsuspecting reader."
-James Wood, The New Yorker
"One of the more nuanced portraits of feminine friendship in recent memory."
-Megan O'Grady, Vogue
"Amazing! My Brilliant Friend took my breath away. If I were president of the world I would make everyone read this book. It is so honest and right and opens up heart to so much. Reading Ferrante reminded me of that child-like excitement when you can't look up from the page, when your eyes seem to be popping from your head, when you think: I didn't know books could do this!"
-Elizabeth Strout, author of Olive Kitteridge
"I like the Italian writer, Elena Ferrante, a lot. I've been reading all her work and all about her." - John Waters, actor and director
"Elena Ferrante may be the best contemporary novelist you've never heard of."
-The Economist
"Ferrante's freshness has nothing to do with fashion…it is imbued with the most haunting music of all, the echoes of literary history."
-The New York Times Book Review
"I am such a fan of Ferrante's work, and have been for quite a while."
-Jennifer Gilmore, author of The Mothers
"The women's fraught relationship and shifting fortunes are the life forces of the poignant book" - Publisher's Weekly
"When I read [the Neapolitan novels] I find that I never want to stop. I feel vexed by the obstacles-my job, or acquaintances on the subway-that threaten to keep me apart from the books. I mourn separations (a year until the next one-how?). I am propelled by a ravenous will to keep going."
-Molly Fischer, The New Yorker
"[Ferrante's Neapolitan Novels] don't merely offer a teeming vision of working-class Naples, with its cobblers and professors, communists and mobbed-up businessmen, womanizing poets and downtrodden wives; they present one of modern fiction's richest portraits of a friendship."
-John Powers, Fresh Air, NPR
"Elena Ferrante is one of the great novelists of our time. Her voice is passionate, her view sweeping and her gaze basilisk . . . In these bold, gorgeous, relentless novels, Ferrante traces the deep connections between the political and the domestic. This is a new version of the way we live no...
The United States
"Ferrante's novels are intensely, violently personal, and because of this they seem to dangle bristling key chains of confession before the unsuspecting reader."
-James Wood, The New Yorker
"One of the more nuanced portraits of feminine friendship in recent memory."
-Megan O'Grady, Vogue
"Amazing! My Brilliant Friend took my breath away. If I were president of the world I would make everyone read this book. It is so honest and right and opens up heart to so much. Reading Ferrante reminded me of that child-like excitement when you can't look up from the page, when your eyes seem to be popping from your head, when you think: I didn't know books could do this!"
-Elizabeth Strout, author of Olive Kitteridge
"I like the Italian writer, Elena Ferrante, a lot. I've been reading all her work and all about her." - John Waters, actor and director
"Elena Ferrante may be the best contemporary novelist you've never heard of."
-The Economist
"Ferrante's freshness has nothing to do with fashion…it is imbued with the most haunting music of all, the echoes of literary history."
-The New York Times Book Review
"I am such a fan of Ferrante's work, and have been for quite a while."
-Jennifer Gilmore, author of The Mothers
"The women's fraught relationship and shifting fortunes are the life forces of the poignant book" - Publisher's Weekly
"When I read [the Neapolitan novels] I find that I never want to stop. I feel vexed by the obstacles-my job, or acquaintances on the subway-that threaten to keep me apart from the books. I mourn separations (a year until the next one-how?). I am propelled by a ravenous will to keep going."
-Molly Fischer, The New Yorker
"[Ferrante's Neapolitan Novels] don't merely offer a teeming vision of working-class Naples, with its cobblers and professors, communists and mobbed-up businessmen, womanizing poets and downtrodden wives; they present one of modern fiction's richest portraits of a friendship."
-John Powers, Fresh Air, NPR
"Elena Ferrante is one of the great novelists of our time. Her voice is passionate, her view sweeping and her gaze basilisk . . . In these bold, gorgeous, relentless novels, Ferrante traces the deep connections between the political and the domestic. This is a new version of the way we live no...
Readers Top Reviews
sharon stevensGin
Elena Ferrante's words are magic. I read all four books in one week, because (obviously) I couldn't put them down. I had to know what happened to both heroines, their families, their neighborhood, friends, various locations in Italy, etc. The translational the books from Italian to English isn't always smooth. There are cultural and expression differences that just don't have a mirrored counterpart in English, but meaning is understood. I found the parts where the translation was not a perfect match to be some of the most interesting reads, because it gave you a truer presentation of what a native speaker would say and how they might express themselves. While on this train of thought, I was struck by the domestic violence and wondered whether this was a product of the time period in which the stories took place, whether it was common in poorer Italian locations (the author didn't show this type of spousal or girlfriend abuse amongst the wealthier characters)or whether it was simply fictionalized. It was interesting. Anyway - I could not recommend this series of books higher!!!
Lisabetta
These are not fairytales, but a genuine, quality reflection of the nitty-gritty, survival-of-the-fittest life facing Neopolitans in the years following WWII. I think Ferrante’s description of a friendship rife with the jealousies and corroding self-esteem issues that are completely understandable considering the family dynamics of that time & place is absolutely masterful. She so clearly grasps how the sociological and intimate family dynamics of that time could negatively influence emotional development, that there were periods where I strongly felt segments of her stories might be autobiographical. I can totally understand why anyone who is unfamiliar with the Italian national character or with the dark personal & regional struggles associated with post-WWII Italy might find Ferrante’s characters and stories out of the realm of possibility, and totally unlikeable; but her capturing of the human ethology of that era is realistic and gripping ... though not for the faint-hearted! I found her characters and stories fascinating. I’m looking forward to reading more of her works.
Casey
I recently read What Happened by Hillary Clinton. Throughout the book she mentions books she read. This quartet is one she read following her election, and it appealed to me. I read all four books. They totally held my attention from beginning to end. They tell the story of two Italian female friends from childhood through old age. They're well written, and the characters are realistically developed.
Aparna N.
Its follows the story of two girls, who are best friends, in the eyes of the world, but mostly rivals in reality. Their actions are dictated by a certain sense of one-upmanship towards each other. One of them is effortlessly brilliant, but devious. All this in the backdrop of Naples. The novel spans decades and follows the girls, right upto their old age. Their relationships, careers, children and all the ups and downs faced by them in their lives are covered. A lot is spoken about the political and social climate of Italy in those times. Its a fantastic read, albeit long (all 4 novels). I felt very involved/engaged in the story, such was the power of the narrative.
Ellen Goldman
I powered through all four books even though there were many disturbing images and developments. Growing up in 1950's Naples was complete foreign territory to me and terrifying in many ways as I had been raised in a more or less safe loving environment in Ohio where education was guaranteed and highly valued. I took away a number of valuable insights on relationships, raising children and personal development which I hope I don't forget. Much of what happens through out the story is harsh and hard to accept which leads me to believe that this is not for everyone. The beauty of the writing and the fascination with Lila and Lenu did keep me glued until the end of the saga and I am sorry to have to move on other writing. I hope I've learned something about improving my own writing. I send heartfelt thanks to the author for this amazing work.
