I once saw this book ranked at the top of a “Best books of the 20th century” list by publishers and editors. That’s a large claim in its own right, let alone a list created by people within publishing. While I tend to be skeptical about these lists (my parents will tell you I was a contrarian at a young age, but I wasn’t), I felt a list created by publishers held more weight than the average Buzzfeed list, so the book was added to mine.
While I doubt that everyone would have this book at the top of their list, I felt, by the end, that I understood its prominence in the publishing sphere. It is a beautifully written novel, a style of writing that I most often attribute to older literature. It was first published in 2011, though you’d hardly guess it. The beautiful writing lays the foundation for the story of two young girls growing up on the outskirts of Naples in the 1950s. It’s a story that spans several years and does not conclude with this novel; it’s the first in a four-volume series (though this is all I’ve read so far).
I would describe the book as slow-paced; the reader learns about the girls’ world and friendship in teasing memories that wind from one story to another through the narration of Elena. Far from meandering or chaotic, it feels as though the reader is in conversation with the narrator, listening to her recount her life in the easy, natural cadence of storytelling. To me, that’s what has vaulted the novel to its auspicious position. Its authenticity, complexity of emotions, and the very human and flawed way those emotions are processed is very special.
So while I – a lover of relationally-driven stories and slow, tempered tales – would put it firmly at the top of such a list, I recognize that many others might not. I think if I had found this book a few years ago, I would’ve been perplexed by its position, but as has been made very clear over the last year, this is a year for slow burns and complex emotional tales, so My Brilliant Friend came to me at the perfect time.
2% Rating: 8
Recommend? I think it’s very worth the read
Re-Read? Hopefully yes (though I plan to finish the series first)
Time: 1:36