Series: Neapolitan Quartet

The story of Elena and Lila begins in the 1950s in a poor but vibrant neighbourhood on the outskirts of Naples. Growing up on these tough streets, the two girls learn to rely on each other ahead of anyone or anything else, as their friendship, beautifully and meticulously rendered, becomes a not-always-perfect shelter from hardship. A memorable portrait of two...

Set against the vibrant and tumultuous backdrop of the late 1960s and the 1970s, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay continues the intricate saga of the defiant and spirited Lina and her lifelong friend, the intelligent and ambitious Elena. This third instalment in Elena Ferrante’s acclaimed Neapolitan Novels, masterfully captures the evolving landscapes of personal and political upheaval, portraying...

The Story of a New Name, the second book of the Neapolitan Quartet, continues the compelling narrative of Elena and Lila, two childhood friends navigating the complexities of life in a poor neighbourhood of Naples in the 1950s and 60s. Lila has recently married Stefano and is now deeply entwined in the pressure-laden world of the family business. Her life...

The Story of the Lost Child is the captivating conclusion to Elena Ferrante's remarkable Neapolitan Novels. This mesmerising finale sees the complex relationship between two lifelong friends, Elena and Lila, reach its zenith. Now adults, their lives remain intertwined despite following vastly different paths, bound by an unbreakable bond marked by love, rivalry, and unprecedented loyalty. Elena, the reflective and...

A modern masterpiece from one of Italy's most acclaimed authors, My Brilliant Friend is a rich, intense and generous hearted story about two friends, Elena and Lila. Ferrante's inimitable style lends itself perfectly to a meticulous portrait of these two women that is also the story of a nation and a touching meditation on the nature of friendship. Through the...