Neapolitan Novels Series Elena Ferrante Collection 4 Books Bundle (My Brilliant Friend, The Story of a New Name, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, Story of the Lost Child)

I finished My Brilliant Friend a month ago on my Kindle and fell in love with it. I decided that I needed to own the physical copy of the Neapolitan novels, but I couldn't find anyone selling them in my country. I'm so happy that I found all of them here, and these are the covers that I prefer over the other version. The items arrived in good condition, and I'm looking forward to finishing the rest of the books!

My favorite series of all time!

Books arrived in perfect condition. Can't wait to read what is touted as "the book of the century."

I actually read these 4 books twice. ( I have never read a book "twice" before). The first time I was focused on the story of the two friends. The second time around I was able to focus on the history and politics going on in the world in the 40''s, 50's and 60's. I know the author's true identity is a mystery, but I have to think the author is female because only a woman would be able to understand young friendship at such an emotional and complex level. It was my favorite read ever. When I first heard about them, I was reluctant to a four book commitment, but I am so glad I reconsidered!

These books reflect the times about which Elena Ferrante writes very well. Be transported.

Bought as a gift for my wife she loves this author.

This was a Christmas gift that is a gift that keeps on giving as the recipient is thoroughly enjoying the excellent writing/translation of this work.

I bought this book series for my wife. She has really enjoyed it and we have also watched the television adaptation. It is a complicated but engaging storyline.

Elena Ferrante is a genius. You cannot put any of her books down. Character driven and complex stories. Amazing writer.

I loveElena Ferrante's books, as she's such a close observer of human behaviour. Her books aren't full of excitement but carefully told stories about human dilemmas. The Neopolitan Quartet is her most famous and best loved work I think that was also made into a TV series which retold the tale of two close friends over many years. It's good to the last drop and draws you into its Neopolitan characters and the poor Naples environment where most of it takes place. It was so good that, for a little while afterwards I was at a loss as to what to do with my evenings and I didn't want to let go of the characters. This edition was reasonably priced and is a good edition. I can only say, "if you haven't read these books - read them"!

*Feels need to impress Nino.* "We must wage war against bad books themselves!" Magnifico Elena. Brava.

Bought for my mum. She loved the stories.

I don't like giving 5 stars for a book because perfection should be a special thing in literature but I found this series exceptional. There is so much to admire, it is well constructed into short chapters with each one seemingly ending on a mini cliff hanger making it very hard to put down. It is a work of amazing scope; a saga of the children of several families that grew up in a rough neighbourhood of Naples, starting from the 1950s to present day. I feel there is a small part of Naples I now know well and have a deep understanding of its post war history. Although the books centre very much on two characters its real quality I found came from its near clinical examination of class connections, and with such a rich cast of characters there are many connections to examine. Why do some kids grow up to be fascist, others gangsters, others communists etc. And what happens when someone gets out of the ghetto and joins an intellectual elite? Are they ever really accepted? What happens when privileged radicals become comrades to working class activists? In practice how different are the fascists, the red brigades, the gangsters, the capitalists, and the politicians? Some readers may find it over long and slow or be confused by the sheer number of characters. However I think Ferrante keeps the pace going by varying the tempo, after a long descriptive passage the plot accelerates. The big cast is managed really well; there are constant reminders of the all important familial connections and flashbacks to key events, in similar books I have often got overwhelmed by so many characters but not here. A truly great series, I feel it will be a long time till I am next so inspired. According to female reviews she gets the inner female voice right, I wouldn't know, but if she does I am now a bit better educated.