For anyone left unconvinced, I read My Brilliant Friend in May and thought it’s the best book I’ve ever read. I have the next one, The Story of a New Name, lined up to read soon but I’m nervous. The books are so dense and immersive, I don’t know if I’m ready for it.
Some favourite books here with the Ferrante, Gornick and Bennett. You reminded me of how when I finished I tried to find a list of all the books and authors she mentioned in it, and couldn't find anything (I know I could have made my own, but I lazily assumed it would be "out there" somewhere). Anyway, I've now tried again and found something, wonderful! I'm looking forward to dipping into that list.
As I was typing up this post I actually felt the regret of not having done the list! I will make it! I need to somehow occupy myself between now and October when the new book comes out.
I read the whole Ferrante series as a guilty pleasure after my mother died, hoping it would be the type of writing that would not make me think too much. Well… I totally fell in love with the characters and the author’s style. As long as I read I was in her world. What an accomplishment!
What a beautiful experience. I am so sorry that you lost your mom but how lucky are we as readers that we can always find some measure of comfort in books?! 💔
Books help me through everything in life. (I nearly wrote “almost everything,” but I have yet to encounter a situation when writing didn’t help me in some way.)
You had a really great reading month 😎 I'm so intrigued by Checkout 19. It's been sitting on my tbr for sometime...Now, after your review I'm even more excited to pick it up! 🩷
what a great reading month, dang! the gornick book was one of my favourites of last year, if only because the mode of thinking & observing (paying attention!) stuck with me much more than i expected. i also loved checkout-19, i should return to pond, which i've been meaning to read.
that said... you simply must keep reading the neapolitan novels! i agree with your friend: the first book is just the (essential) foundation for the rest. the latter books are much more 'think-y women books' about the complexities of being a friend, wife, and mother. i think my reading life can be divided into before i read these books and after them.
Oh wow. I got goosebumps reading that last sentence. I read The Lying Life of Adults last year and LOVED it and this month reading Days of Abandonment for my IRL bookclub, I can’t wait for the second book in the quartet because that Nino situationship gave me heart palpitations.
Re: Bennett, I think POND is still my favorite but Checkout 19 is so… precious to me, somehow. It is an excavation of a reader’s heart, it just felt so special. 🥹🥹🥹
I read them at a formative age (mid 20s) and in the ~9 years since, I have described *so* many men as "total Ninos." The characters are unforgettable! They're such gifts, honestly.
I am going to be thinking of books/roomba. I will say that what instantly came to mind regarding the roomba feeling is the effect of my yoga practice...and especially when I take the time for breath work.
wow i have to read the Gornick memoir! I think one of my favorite things by Vivian Gornick is her book 'The romance of American Communism'. it's really a 10/10 book that i recommend you check out
Heh that George Gissing cover reminds me of Levy's The Position of Spoons cover! Happy summer travels - excited to see what you do with your travel journal! Haven't read any CLB but adding that to my long and growing list.
I made your substack! It only took a tremendous guilt tripping campaign to stay with My Brilliant Friend. Lenu will be in your head—you’ll be as one soon!
I've been meaning to read Checkout 19, which has been languishing on my unread shelf. This may be the prod I needed! And I love Ferrante's Neopolitan series immensely -- the first book really is the foundational text needed for the rest of the series, which I found page-turning (particularly book 2), and couldn't put down. Looking forward to how you find the rest of them and the story of Lila & Lenu; the HBO series is phenomenal if not as internal due to the medium. (Obviously the tv series doesn't hold a candle to the books, but it's beautifully filmed.)
I am about to board a flight and someone told me that the show is available on United flights 🙊🙊🙊 I am so tempted but promised myself to catch up on my Middlemarch!
I am about to board a flight and someone told me that the show is available on United flights 🙊🙊🙊 I am so tempted but promised myself to catch up on my Middlemarch!
I really need to read My Brilliant Friend! I've been told the themes in my memoir are similar (contrasting friends, the adoration and conflict of female friendship, female identity, etc). So I must add that to my list!
I love your analogy of a Roomba returning to its charging station. I just read Grief is for People and it gutted me, but in a way that made me feel seen.
Each month I say I will read 'My Brilliant Friend', and each month it gets pushed to the side. Possibly because of how much I dislike the cover art (I know, I shouldn't judge - I'm terrible). Maybe August is my month... thanks for linking that community read opportunity. 🌼
What a great month!! Absolutely agree with the everyone in the comments hyping up the rest of the Ferrante quartet —the second is incredible, the third my personal favorite, and the fourth couldn’t have been a better conclusion to the whole epic <\3 caaant wait to follow your journey with them & equally excited for your travel journal content! enjoy your trip!
For anyone left unconvinced, I read My Brilliant Friend in May and thought it’s the best book I’ve ever read. I have the next one, The Story of a New Name, lined up to read soon but I’m nervous. The books are so dense and immersive, I don’t know if I’m ready for it.
Some favourite books here with the Ferrante, Gornick and Bennett. You reminded me of how when I finished I tried to find a list of all the books and authors she mentioned in it, and couldn't find anything (I know I could have made my own, but I lazily assumed it would be "out there" somewhere). Anyway, I've now tried again and found something, wonderful! I'm looking forward to dipping into that list.
As I was typing up this post I actually felt the regret of not having done the list! I will make it! I need to somehow occupy myself between now and October when the new book comes out.
I read the whole Ferrante series as a guilty pleasure after my mother died, hoping it would be the type of writing that would not make me think too much. Well… I totally fell in love with the characters and the author’s style. As long as I read I was in her world. What an accomplishment!
What a beautiful experience. I am so sorry that you lost your mom but how lucky are we as readers that we can always find some measure of comfort in books?! 💔
Books help me through everything in life. (I nearly wrote “almost everything,” but I have yet to encounter a situation when writing didn’t help me in some way.)
You had a really great reading month 😎 I'm so intrigued by Checkout 19. It's been sitting on my tbr for sometime...Now, after your review I'm even more excited to pick it up! 🩷
It really was a great month! I kind of expect you to love Checkout 19. Have you read any of her writing? There’s nobody I can compare her to.
Unfortunately not, yet! Well, fingers crossed. But who knows when I'll get around to it 😅
The right book finds you at the right time! I will not let you forget about her! 🤣🤣🤣
Oh, for sure! It's one of my mantras 😎 Well...haunt me then! 😂
what a great reading month, dang! the gornick book was one of my favourites of last year, if only because the mode of thinking & observing (paying attention!) stuck with me much more than i expected. i also loved checkout-19, i should return to pond, which i've been meaning to read.
that said... you simply must keep reading the neapolitan novels! i agree with your friend: the first book is just the (essential) foundation for the rest. the latter books are much more 'think-y women books' about the complexities of being a friend, wife, and mother. i think my reading life can be divided into before i read these books and after them.
Oh wow. I got goosebumps reading that last sentence. I read The Lying Life of Adults last year and LOVED it and this month reading Days of Abandonment for my IRL bookclub, I can’t wait for the second book in the quartet because that Nino situationship gave me heart palpitations.
Re: Bennett, I think POND is still my favorite but Checkout 19 is so… precious to me, somehow. It is an excavation of a reader’s heart, it just felt so special. 🥹🥹🥹
I read them at a formative age (mid 20s) and in the ~9 years since, I have described *so* many men as "total Ninos." The characters are unforgettable! They're such gifts, honestly.
This is the sign I needed to read Pond, I think.
Just DM-ed you.
I am going to be thinking of books/roomba. I will say that what instantly came to mind regarding the roomba feeling is the effect of my yoga practice...and especially when I take the time for breath work.
Kim, one day we will meet in person and will do a yoga class and then go book shopping together!!!
I bet if you organized a retreat people would come…I would!
Kim! What an amazing idea! I will give this serious thought!
The travel journalling kit is so gorgeous! Can't wait to read your musings when you return 😊
Meanwhile, I will be looking into Vivian Gornick, George Gissing and Claire-Louise Bennett!
If that’s the list I leave you with, my work on earth is done!!! 🤣🤣🤣
You've left me with much more, rest assured!!
Have a wonderful trip and can’t wait to hear about the travel journaling 💗
Sitting at the airport, Rumi is already complaining that I got the best colors 🤦🏻♀️🤣
😭😂
wow i have to read the Gornick memoir! I think one of my favorite things by Vivian Gornick is her book 'The romance of American Communism'. it's really a 10/10 book that i recommend you check out
Oh that sounds amazing!!! She is so funny and insightful. Thank you so much for the recommendation!
Heh that George Gissing cover reminds me of Levy's The Position of Spoons cover! Happy summer travels - excited to see what you do with your travel journal! Haven't read any CLB but adding that to my long and growing list.
Omg I thought it looked familiar but could not place it. Of course!!!
I made your substack! It only took a tremendous guilt tripping campaign to stay with My Brilliant Friend. Lenu will be in your head—you’ll be as one soon!
Hahah you have been VERY PERSISTENT for several years now. Thank you for not giving up on me. 🤣🤣
I've been meaning to read Checkout 19, which has been languishing on my unread shelf. This may be the prod I needed! And I love Ferrante's Neopolitan series immensely -- the first book really is the foundational text needed for the rest of the series, which I found page-turning (particularly book 2), and couldn't put down. Looking forward to how you find the rest of them and the story of Lila & Lenu; the HBO series is phenomenal if not as internal due to the medium. (Obviously the tv series doesn't hold a candle to the books, but it's beautifully filmed.)
I am about to board a flight and someone told me that the show is available on United flights 🙊🙊🙊 I am so tempted but promised myself to catch up on my Middlemarch!
I am about to board a flight and someone told me that the show is available on United flights 🙊🙊🙊 I am so tempted but promised myself to catch up on my Middlemarch!
Thank you for all of this, Petya! ❣️ Excited to be introduced to the Ferrante reading club…I might have to join if August isn’t too nuts for me!
No pressure, you already know it’s good! It’s just a matter of time!
I really need to read My Brilliant Friend! I've been told the themes in my memoir are similar (contrasting friends, the adoration and conflict of female friendship, female identity, etc). So I must add that to my list!
I love your analogy of a Roomba returning to its charging station. I just read Grief is for People and it gutted me, but in a way that made me feel seen.
P.S. Love the travel journaling kit! xxx
Oh I loved Grief is for people too…
Each month I say I will read 'My Brilliant Friend', and each month it gets pushed to the side. Possibly because of how much I dislike the cover art (I know, I shouldn't judge - I'm terrible). Maybe August is my month... thanks for linking that community read opportunity. 🌼
I think there are other editions at this point but LOL… yes.
What a great month!! Absolutely agree with the everyone in the comments hyping up the rest of the Ferrante quartet —the second is incredible, the third my personal favorite, and the fourth couldn’t have been a better conclusion to the whole epic <\3 caaant wait to follow your journey with them & equally excited for your travel journal content! enjoy your trip!