My Brilliant Friend

Elena Ferrante · b. 1943 · Italy

Originally L'amica geniale (Italian) · translated by Ann Goldstein

Why it matters

Lila and Lenù, one poor Naples neighborhood, and the ferocious arithmetic of female friendship: the opening of the Neapolitan Quartet, the century's great word-of-mouth epic. Narrative force critics had declared old-fashioned, vindicated overwhelmingly.

At a glance

Direct, propulsive prose; difficulty lies in tracking a large recurring cast.