The Story of a New Name is the second book of the Neapolitan Novels. It’s raw and brilliant, with a light that shines unblinking on its characters
Naples has always hung its washing to catch the air – it’s a city that knows its secrets … and so does Elena Ferrante. In her novels she packs the unhidden into private lives and passes it on to us.
The novel follows Lila, Elena and their peers through courtship, abuse, marriage, summers and work, and we see them now from two angles … from the thick of their lives in Naples, and from the refined distance of academia and college in Pisa.
On the one hand Elena brings her Naples, her life, directly to the table whilst in the other she elevates herself to where we might like to think we sit … apart, better. Through her we circle the story as she shows us those forced to live with the unbearable while she strives through learning to achieve a purer life.
This might suggest a clear cut support for one side over the other but Elena Ferrante never goes this way. Instead she gives us empathy and a sense of loss with writing so strong that it’s impossible to choose sides or to know what’s next. We’re taken deep into friendships, shown brutal truths and left with questions about ourselves.
The two characters that attract the spotlight are Elena and Lila, but there is another that never leaves the pages: Naples.
There are no long physical descriptions of the city instead we are taken straight to its heart, to its crowded core, and shown why it beats like it does. We see courage, pain, brilliance, ignorance, love and corruption as they entwine in the struggle for the heights of Vomero or the wealthy life of Chiaia.
This is how Naples today still feels – restless, watchful, intense and alive.
Perhaps you are undecided as to whether or not to read these Neapolitan novels … if so, here are three reasons that I hope will persuade you: first – there is the pleasure of the writing and the power of the tale; second – there is the chance to be led right inside the heart of Naples; and third – there is provocation, the kind that makes you think, such as this for instance from near the end of the novel (page 466):
“…she was explaining to me that I had won nothing, that in the world there is nothing to win, that her life was full of varied and foolish adventures as much as mine, and that time simply slipped away without any meaning, and it was good just to see each other every so often to hear the mad sound of the brain of one echo in the mad sound of the brain of the other.”
Book four in the series, The Story of the Lost Child, has just been published.
The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante
Translated from the Italian by Ann Goldstein
Published by Europa Editions, 214 West 29th Street, New York NY 10001
First publication 2013
Ninth printing 2015
Cost US$18.00/CAN$22.00/UK£11.99
Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2018
thanks for reminding me – about to order these! I look at my little lemon tree every day…what is the name of the Lemon tree book? xxx
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I love thinking about your lemon tree. We have your picture framed and it’s just waiting to be hung. The book you’re thinking of is ‘The Land Where Lemons Grow’ by Helena Attlee. Enjoy Ferrante! xxx
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Reblogged this on The Phraser and commented:
A look back (first published 24 September 2015): this book, the second of four, sustains the pace of the first – it’s a vivid read.
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Cant wait to read them!
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Brilliant! Know you won’t be disappointed especially if you combine the reading with a trip to Naples … we’re looking forward to that!
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This is turning out to be my favorite read of the year. I just finished it last night and cannot stop gushing about it!
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I loved the first two books and have just started the third. The first few pages of Book Three feel different … am looking forward to the rest!
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I have yet to start the second. I am so intrigued by Ferrante as a novelist. such a mystery!
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You’re in for a treat with book two. The mystery is part of the fun … and I think a wise idea as it seems to allow more freedom to go further.
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I agree. Its just that in this day and age its next to impossible to have something like this going.. The way she has pulled it is very wise
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So true.
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Already looking forward to book 2 now!
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Half way through Book 2 🙂 Loving it!
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Great to know … I have still haven’t finished book 3 due to time issues but it’s so compelling I know my pile of things-to-do is soon going to surrender 🙂
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🙂 I hope you get time to read. There is always so much to read its a pity there are 24 hours only 😉
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🙂 I agree – 24 hrs is too short!
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