Book · 2023 · Comics & graphic novels, adaptations
My Brilliant Friend
Why people recommend it
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante is the captivating first volume of the internationally acclaimed Neapolitan quartet, chronicling the complex lifelong friendship of two girls growing up in a poor yet vibrant neighborhood in Naples. On The Book Review, MJ Franklin generated considerable excitement by announcing the novel as the upcoming selection for the podcast's book club project celebrating 21st-century literature. John Williams also shared a warm listener recommendation of the novel on The Book Review, drawing attention to its prominent place in Ferrante's celebrated quartet. As the designated book club read, the novel took center stage in a dedicated episode where Gilbert Cruz and MJ Franklin, alongside guest editors, explored the extraordinary publishing phenomenon known as Ferrante fever. During their discussion, the panel unpacked the rich narrative of the book, which traces the formative childhood and adolescence of its protagonists against the harsh backdrop of post-war Italy. The hosts and guests examined the emotional depth, stylistic brilliance, and psychological realism that earned the work its stellar reputation, culminating in a thoughtful exploration of why this Italian masterpiece resonated so deeply with contemporary readers across the globe and topped literary polls for the greatest books of the century.
Who recommended it
- MJ Franklin Recommended
- Gilbert Cruz Discussed
- Dana Tacot Discussed
- Lauren Christensen Discussed
- John Williams Recommended
- Pamela Paul Discussed
MJ Franklin — 4 mentions
“and now on to our book my brilliant friend my brilliant friend is the first book in Alena fante's Neapolitan quartet”
“and that is presumably the account that we're reading as book one my Brant friend tracks their childhood and Adolescence”
“I'm MJ Franklin I'm joined by jiman ctib Greg K's and Emily Aken and we're discussing my brilliant Friend by Elena fante”
“in August we will be reading my brilliant friend B Elena fante we just did this huge 21st century books project”
Gilbert Cruz — 3 mentions
“The first book, My Brilliant Friend, uh, was published here, translated and published here in in 2011.”
“this month MJ gathers a group of editors to talk about my brilliant Friend by Elena fante which recently topped the book reviews poll of great 21st century books”
“I'd love to start with our number one book which I don't know was were people surprised was anyone in this room at least surprised that my brilliant Friend by Elena fante was according to our 5003 respondents the number one book of the 21st century”
Dana Tacot — 2 mentions
“so those novels are my brilliant friend the story of a new name then those who leave and those who stay and the story of A Lost Child”
“I believe I read my brilliant friend first when it was the only Neapolitan book out in English”
Lauren Christensen — 1 mention
“and it's funny because I I tried to read my brilliant friend which is the first novel when it came out was like I more than 10 years ago at this point and for some reason I I just couldn't get into it”
John Williams — 1 mention
“Lucia janova named Elena fron is my brilliant friend which is the first volume in her recently concluded quartet of Neapolitan novels”
Pamela Paul — 1 mention
“yeah there is especially the first one my brilliant friend I I finished it I I was AVID for that book as well”
Mentioned on the show without a named speaker — 1
“that was MJ Franklin in conversation with Greg Kohl's Emily Aken and jum Kati about my brilliant Friend by Elena fante”