All books are shipped from New Zealand 📚

Christmas Shopping? Try our Gift Wrap Service 🎁

Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay

4.35 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 165,431 ratings, 10,624 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
Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay by Elena Ferrante explores the lives of two friends, Elena and Lila, as they navigate adulthood in 1970s Italy. The novel delves into their personal struggles, political tensions, and the evolving dynamics of their tumultuous yet profound friendship.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2799
GET IT FOR CHRISTMAS | OVERNIGHT DELIVERY

Found a better price? Request a price match

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?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate deeply emotional narratives about friendship, identity, and personal growth, set against the backdrop of a changing Italy. It offers a vivid exploration of the complexities of life, capturing the struggles and triumphs of vividly drawn characters.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay

The international bestseller, now in B-format paperback with a brand new cover.

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

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 complexities of friendship, identity, and social progression.

In this volume, Lina has left her abusive husband and now resides with her young son in a new neighbourhood in Naples, where she works in a local factory. Her life is marked by struggle and resilience as she navigates the challenging social terrain of her new surroundings. Meanwhile, Elena has carved a different path, leaving behind her roots in Naples to pursue higher education. After earning a degree from an elite institution and publishing a successful novel, Elena finds herself mingling with a spectrum of intellectuals and influential figures.

The novel vividly illustrates the era's profound transformations in sexual politics and societal norms, capturing the sense of boundless possibilities and the ensuing cultural shifts. Ferrante's narrative is imbued with an extraordinary verve, making the era's dramatic changes come alive with breath-taking intensity.

Beyond the detailed and poignant portrayal of Lina and Elena's friendship, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay offers a penetrating insight into a rapidly changing world. It is not merely a story of personal connections but a staggering depiction of the socio-political landscape that shaped a generation.

Since the release of My Brilliant Friend, the first novel in the Neapolitan series, Elena Ferrante has solidified her status as a pre-eminent voice in contemporary literature. Her works resonate profoundly with readers all over the globe, striking a chord with their authentic exploration of human experiences. With each instalment, Ferrante attracts admiration from fellow authors, artists, and critics alike, who are drawn to her incisive and elegant storytelling.

Ferrante's captivating prose delves deep into the mysteries of belonging, the intricate dance of human relationships, and the enduring bonds of love, family, and friendship. Her evocative storytelling renders Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay a must-read, offering a rich and compelling portrait of lives intertwined by fate and choice.

Series: Neapolitan Quartet

View all

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?

Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay continues Ferrante's exploration of female friendship, ambition, and emotional violence. The work is characterised by its raw honesty, evocative storytelling, and profound emotional impact, often drawing comparisons to the literary achievements of authors like Tolstoy. Critics highlight its powerful depiction of personal and historical scars and its unflinching portrayal of uncertainty and potential.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781787702684

Publisher: Europa Editions (UK) Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 30 July 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

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)

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 four volumes of the Neapolitan Quartet (My Brilliant Friend, The Story of a New Name, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, and The Story of the Lost Child), published by Europa Editions between 2012 and 2015. She is also the author of a children's picture book illustrated by Mara Cerri, The Beach at Night, and a work of non-fiction, Frantumaglia: A Writer's Journey. Incidental Inventions, her collected Guardian columns, were published in 2019.

Also by Elena Ferrante

View all

More from General Fiction

View all

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent specialist on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our cozy 200m2 warehouse in Auckland holds over 10,000 books in-stock so you're not waiting for books to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Pick Ups

Auckland Pick Ups

We're an online-only store but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

Reviews from our customers