April '25 Book Pick: My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
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Have you ever had an intense, complicated, and foundational friendship that shaped who you are? That’s exactly what My Brilliant Friend explores—and why it completely pulled me in from the very first page.
A Friendship That’s as Real as It Gets
This month, I’m thrilled to share one of the most unforgettable reads I’ve picked up in a long time. My Brilliant Friend is the first book in Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Novels—a deeply layered, emotionally honest portrait of two girls growing up in a poor neighborhood in 1950s Naples. It’s not just a coming-of-age story; it’s a love letter (and sometimes a challenge letter) to female friendship.
At the heart of the story are Lila and Elena, two girls who meet at ten years old and grow into women side by side, though never quite in step. Elena, the narrator, is bookish and reserved, while Lila is bold, brilliant, and a little dangerous. Their relationship swings between admiration and rivalry, closeness and distance—something that felt so honest and familiar to me. I couldn’t help but see reflections of my closest friendships: how they’ve inspired, tested, and stayed with me over time.
Ferrante captures all of this in such a raw, vulnerable way that I often paused just to sit with a line or a moment. It’s messy, beautiful, and painfully real—exactly what I love in a story.
Why My Brilliant Friend Is Worth the Read
A Slow-Burn Story: This isn’t a book that rushes you through its story. It takes time to build the world of the neighborhood so thoroughly that you can practically hear the street noise and feel the tension in the air. The stakes aren’t flashy—they’re deeply personal. And that’s what makes them hit so hard.
Beautiful, Intimate Writing: Ferrante’s voice, through Elena, is intimate and precise. She digs into the smallest details of girlhood and adolescence—the humiliations, the longings, the moments of pride and jealousy—with the kind of insight that makes you go, “Yes. That’s exactly how it felt.”
Unforgettable Characters: Elena and Lila are not perfect. They make mistakes. They hurt each other. But they’re so alive on the page that I kept thinking about them long after I closed the book. Who hasn’t had a friend who both inspires and infuriates you?
A Rich Sense of Place: Ferrante’s Naples is gritty and vibrant, shaped by postwar politics, poverty, and tight-knit family dynamics. But even if you’ve never set foot in Italy, the world she creates feels familiar in its emotional truth.
About the author
Elena Ferrante remains a mystery, writing under a pseudonym and keeping her identity private. But her stories speak volumes. With the Neapolitan Novels, she’s become one of the most powerful voices in contemporary fiction—especially when it comes to writing about women’s inner lives with honesty and nuance.
Find more about Elena ON HER WEBSITE
Book Club Discussion Questions
- Which moments in Lila and Elena’s friendship felt most familiar—or most surprising—to you?
- How does the neighborhood environment influence the girls’ development and their opportunities?
- Do you think Elena is a reliable narrator? How might Lila’s version of the story differ?
- How do jealousy and admiration coexist in Lila and Elena’s relationship?
- What role does education play in shaping Elena’s identity—and separating her from Lila?
- In what ways does Ferrante challenge or reinforce traditional gender roles through Lila and Elena?
- How do family expectations affect the choices each girl makes?
- What did you think of the emotional power struggles between Lila and Elena?
- Was there a particular turning point in their friendship that stood out to you?
- Do you see either of them as the “brilliant friend”? Or is the title more nuanced?
- How does Ferrante portray violence—physical, emotional, and societal—in the community?
- How do wealth, ambition, and social mobility affect the relationship between the two girls?
- What do you make of the ending of the novel? Did it leave you wanting to read more?
- How did your feelings about either Lila or Elena change throughout the novel?
- If you’ve watched the HBO series, how did it compare to the book? Did the characters or setting match how you imagined them? What did the adaptation get right—or miss?
Find More Details about My Brilliant Friend on the Book Page
Reading My Brilliant Friend felt like stepping into someone else’s life and finding pieces of your own. It’s not flashy or fast—it’s thoughtful, emotional, and deeply human. Lila and Elena’s friendship is messy, magnetic, and unforgettable. This is your perfect pick if you love slow, character-driven stories that stay with you. And if you’ve already met these two brilliant girls, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.