The My Brilliant Friend book series by Elena Ferrante is so worth reading — it’s my all-time favorite! Otherwise known as the “Neopolitan Novels,” this popular quartet, a top book series to read, begins with My Brilliant Friend, voted the #1 best book of the 21st Century in the New York Times. Here, you’ll learn what you need to know about reading it and get lifestyle pairings, so let’s get literary!
My Brilliant Friend Book Series Order
The Neopolitan Novels are highly recommended historical fiction books that have sold a staggering 10 million plus copies. The series has four separate novels, but author Elena Ferrante considers them “a single novel.” For this reason, they should be read in order of publication.
| Number | Title | Italian Date | English Date |
| 1 | My Brilliant Friend | 2011 | 2012 |
| 2 | The Story of a New Name | 2012 | 2013 |
| 3 | Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay | 2013 | 2014 |
| 4 | The Story of the Lost Child | 2014 | 2015 |
Genre
Plot
QUICK PLOT OVERVIEW
The Neopolitan Novels are historical fiction about women that began in Naples, Italy, in the 1950s, post-World War II. Two young girls living in the slums there, Elena Greco (also known as Lenu) and Raffaella Cerulo (also known as Lila), bond over a shared copy of Little Women.
Both are naturally smart. However, one becomes formally educated, and the other does not. Given this key difference, the novels intricately explore their similarities and differences and how they relate to one another over six decades.
It’s an epic saga of a very complex female friendship during specific times and places, narrated by Lenu.
The Neopolitan Novels are beloved book recommendations for their rich character depth, detailed settings, relatable real-life issues, emotional experiences, historical context, meaningful themes, plot twists, raw writing style, and overall immersive quality.
Themes
- Friendship, particularly that of females
- Education
- Social class
- Italian culture throughout the 1900s
- Feminism and motherhood
Reviews of the Neopolitan Novels
1. My Brilliant Friend (2011/2012)
My Brilliant Friend is the first of four books in the Neapolitan Novels. It begins in the slums of Naples, Italy, in the 1950s. Two naturally smart young girls, Elena “Lenu” Greco (the narrator) and Raffaella “Lila” Cerullo bond over a shared copy of Little Women.
Despite their bond and similarities, they differ. Lenu is quiet, reserved, and bookish. Lila is impulsive, strong-willed, and rebellious.
As they develop into their teenage years, their similarities and differences begin to push them together and pull them apart, particularly amidst a vibrant neighborhood of characters that also influence their lives. The reader sees Lenu taking a more progressive path in formal education, while Lila follows traditional feminine stereotypes.
My Brilliant Friend is my favorite book of all time, particularly due to the quality of its writing. No one develops characters or themes more beautifully than Ferrante does here. Her greatest skills are getting you to feel real feelings about the characters and then twisting and turning those feelings back and forth. The result is an utterly immersive literary experience.
Someone once said that when you read this novel, you never want to read another author’s work again, and I agree wholeheartedly. Her words both slowly burn and pack a bold punch. They make you question, over and over again, which one the brilliant friend is.
Reading Tip: I recommend the print or digital version because it contains an index of the many families and characters in the neighborhood. There are a lot, and they are all important as the story unfolds over four books. Otherwise, take notes.
2. The Story of a New Name (2012/2013)
The Story of a New Name is the second of four books in the Neapolitan Novels. Lila is a newlywed working in the family business. Elena, on the other hand, continues her education and moves beyond the borders of her neighborhood. Each path is very different, yet both struggle in their new adult roles and continuing friendship.
This is the most emotional of the four books, containing an utterly shocking betrayal. The complexities of becoming adults make Linu and Lila’s lives and friendship harder. Their rivalries and jealousies as multi-dimensional women are that much more pronounced. At times, I wanted to scream at Lila! I also desperately wanted Lenu to stand up for herself.
The reader also begins to see the role of education play out in the characters’ lives in a much more tangible way. In many ways, this is Lila’s story. It’s an absolute must if you liked the first book.
Reading Tip: I listened to books two through four in the Neopolitan Novels on audio and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I already knew the many characters from book one well enough that I didn’t need the index.
3. Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay (2013/2014)
Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay is the third of four books in the Neapolitan Novels. Lenu and Lila are now grown women during the 1970s. Lila is a mother, but her home and work life have changed drastically. Elena has earned a degree and achieved her career ambitions, yet she feels stifled.
While this was my least favorite book of the series, it was still very good. It wasn’t as emotional as book two, but it conveyed a lot about politics, class, and culture in Italy.
It also shows how Lila and Lenu continue to push and pull apart in new circumstances and how their educational differences continue to change each of them. Often, the result is not what you’d expect, and this is what makes these novels so “brilliant.”
It’s not a “must read” as much as book two is, but it allows you to follow the characters further on their journey and learn a lot of historical context about their lives.
4. The Story of the Lost Child (2014/2015)
The Story of the Lost Child is the fourth of four books in the Neapolitan Novels. It concludes the decades-long saga of Lenu and Lila in epic fashion.
These complex women have lived a lot of life, and yet they find themselves, in many ways, where they began. Elena returns to Naples, and Lila returns to her entrepreneurial roots. Both grapple with their roles as mothers and continue to exhibit jealousy and loyalty to each other simultaneously.
In the end, this novel reminds me of my favorite quote from my favorite song, “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell: “Something’s lost, but something’s gained, in living every day.”
Super fans of the series won’t want to miss this one, particularly since it is so widely beloved.
About Elena Ferrante and Translator Ann Goldstein
about
Elena Ferrante is the pseudonym of a secretive Italian author, whose true identity is unknown. Ferrante admits to growing up in Naples and to having a classics degree. She is known for writing character-driven literary fiction and crafting complex female characters. Time Magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people of 2016.
Ann Goldstein is an American editor, best known for her excellent translations of Ferrante’s Neopolitan Novels. She graduated from Bennington College in Vermont and studied at University College, London. She worked at The New Yorker for several decades, and she has been awarded two Fellowship of the American Academy in Rome, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the PEN Renato Poggioli Translation Award.
Watch the HBO TV Series Adaptation of My Brilliant Friend
HBO released a “brilliant” adaptation of the Neopolitan Novels in 2018. My Brilliant Friend stars (as the older Elena and Lila) the very talented Margherita Mazzucco and Gaia Girace, who widely received rave reviews from viewers for their stunning portrayals of the beloved characters.
Though spoken in Italian with English subtitles, you won’t mind reading along as you watch. In fact, I enjoyed how the subtitles kept me completely engaged.
It’s every bit as addictive and immersive as the books but with the added benefit of visuals. It especially helps you put faces to the names of the many neighborhood characters.
To date, three seasons have been released, and the series has been renewed for a fourth season.
Check out my Sorrento, Italy travel guide to see the hotel where I stayed for my honeymoon, which was featured in Season 2 as the site of Lila’s honeymoon.
Recap and Final Thoughts
The My Brilliant Friend book series is one of the most popular of all time. The first book, My Brilliant Friend, is worth reading because it was named the #1 New York Times Best Book of the 21st Century and is my all-time favorite book. I recommend reading it in print or digital format so you can learn all the many characters in the index it contains.
The Neopolitan Novels follow one chronological plot with the same characters, so they should be read in publication order.
The second book, The Story of a New Name is also not to be missed if you loved the fiery passion and lush literary writing of the first book. The remaining two books, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay and The Story of the Lost Child, complete the reader’s journey with the characters. These final three books work well in any format, including audio, since you will already know the characters.
The HBO adaptation is also exceptional and worth watching, especially if you want to learn the characters better. Don’t let the subtitles scare you away. It’s just as engaging as the books!
remember, it’s a good day to read a book. – jules
