The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante (book)

Based in an Italian setting that holds jealousy, beauty, love and violence is a friendship that is just as powerful as the writing of this story. Elena Ferrante truly is the Jane Austen of our time and portrays just how far you might go to retain a close friendship/sisterhood.

This story continues from the first book of a four part series, 'My Brilliant Friend', and takes you on a journey with two best friends, Elena Greco (Lenu) and Rafaella Cerullo (Lila) and the events that challenge their friendship. For instance, relationships between the many Italian families and friends in their neighbourhood seem to empower or tear them down. An example of this is the pressure of both of the girls' parents, Lila has been forced to drop out of school, becomes a shoemaker and then marries at sixteen. This book then explores a new chapter in her life with her husband, Stefano, that explores luxury, abuse, adultery and motherhood. Whereas, Lenu is encouraged to continue further study and attend university, but with this comes a sense of being worried she is never good enough academically and personally.

Both girls are very different. Lenu is quiet, a worrier who feels she is ugly, whilst Lila is aggressive, strong and always told she is beautiful. The one thing they do have in common is how smart they are. This is where the theme of jealousy comes in, especially with Lenu, as Lila, although she isn't studying anymore, has a very broad general knowledge and is able to apply herself easily to tasks. Lenu has felt she has always been a step behind Lila and views her as a modern female guidebook. Both girls seem pressured to have what the other has. The relationship varies between them loving and hating each other. For instance, they don't seem to communicate very well and they spend long periods apart in sections of the book, but deep down they love each other and significant events portray this to the audience.

This book further explores experiences which the audience can relate to, such as young adulthood. An example is the relationships with the opposite sex and having summer flings. Ferrante's writing further entails the setting of Italian life in the 1950s and 1960s, where women had no control and were often beaten, whilst the men had power and used violence to express their feelings. The character of Lila has the unique quality of aggression and wanting to get what she wants, challenging the expectations of the period. 

The journey in this book ends with Lenu accomplishing something huge in her life, while Lila continues to find life a struggle working in terrible conditions. But she never lets go of her sharp tongue. 

I'm excited to see the journey that is still to come in the next two books and I highly recommend this stupendous read.

If you are interested in more information about the series, here is a link to some writers discussing it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3jvIQePWto&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR3QAw8kokGz9EKBQyFMmJAQFoTpmeV0TaoblIIBMQLEep8Kw4qtXAlIRfo

This book series has now been adapted as a television drama. The first season is based on the first book 'My Brilliant Friend' and I can't recommend it enough. It caught my eyes straight away and I can't wait until they bring this part of the story to life on screen.