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The Story of the Lost Child

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( 152,418 ratings, 12,323 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante follows the lifelong friendship of two women, Elena and Lila, as they navigate personal and political upheavals in Naples. Their bond is tested by their divergent paths, and the story explores themes of identity, ambition, and the complexities of female friendship.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2799
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy deeply intimate and complex narratives about friendship, personal growth, and the intertwining of lives. With rich character development and a vivid portrayal of Naples, it captures the emotional and social struggles of two women over several decades.

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The Story of the Lost Child

"Nothing quite like this has ever been published before," proclaimed The Guardian about the Neapolitan novels in 2014. Against the backdrop of a Naples that is as seductive as it is perilous and a world undergoing epochal change, Elena Ferrante tells the story of a lifelong friendship between two women with unmatched honesty and brilliance.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
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 intellectual protagonist, has tried to distance herself from the stifling environment of her youth by moving to Florence. Married and successful, she has carved out a name for herself as a novelist. However, the magnetic pull of Naples draws her back, thrusting her into a maelstorm of emotions and unresolved past tensions. Her return signifies not only a physical journey but an inward exploration of identity and ambition.

Lila, in contrast, has never managed to extricate herself from the city that shaped her. Her fierce and relentless nature has driven her to achieve notoriety and success as an entrepreneur. Yet, this proximity to her roots keeps her perilously close to the violence, corruption, and socio-political entanglements she despises. Her influence and involvement within the neighbourhood elevate her to an unspoken leadership role, marking her as an indomitable and unforgettable force.

Elena and Lila's intricate personalities and their ever-evolving friendship form the heart of the narrative. Their shared history serves as both a nostalgic memory and a constant reminder of their struggles for personal freedom and self-definition. As they navigate their adult lives, weathering the storms of marriage, parenthood, professional pressure, and personal loss, their differing responses to these challenges highlight the contrasts and contradictions that have always defined them.

The brilliance of The Story of the Lost Child lies not just in its portrayal of two extraordinary women, but also in its profound observation of the cultural and social dynamics of Naples. Ferrante masterfully depicts the city's gritty streets and vibrant community, making it a character in its own right, whose power shapes the lives of its inhabitants.

The four volumes of the Neapolitan Novels are a breathtaking saga that delves into the depths of friendship, identity, and societal constraints. Each novel stands as a testament to the enduring power of story, capturing the universal struggles and triumphs of its characters. Ferrante's rich, narrative style ensures that readers will return to these books time and again, finding new insights and experiencing fresh revelations with each read.

Series: Neapolitan Quartet

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante has been widely praised for its powerful narrative and gripping conclusion to the Neapolitan Quartet. Renowned for its portrayal of female friendship and feminism in mid-20th-century Naples, it has been described as compelling, vivid, and worthy of significant literary accolades. Critics commend it for its arresting and haunting qualities, marking it as an outstanding work in contemporary fiction.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781787702691

Publisher: Europa Editions (UK) Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 13 August 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Europa Editions (UK) Ltd

Contributors:

  • Translated by Ann Goldstein

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 400

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About the Author

Elena Ferrante is the author of The Days of Abandonment (Europa, 2005), Troubling Love (Europa, 2006), The Lost Daughter (Europa, 2008), and the international best-selling Neapolitan Quartet. She is also the author of Frantumaglia: A Writer's Journey; a children's picture book illustrated by Mara Cerri, The Beach at Night, and, most recently, a collection of essays entitled Incidental Inventions (Europa, 2019).

Ann Goldstein is one of the most accomplished translators from the Italian working today. Best known for her translations of Elena Ferrante's oeuvre, she has also translated novels by Primo Levi, Pierpaolo Pasolini and many more.

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