Why people recommend it
The Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante is a stark, powerful novel detailing the emotional unraveling and psychological crisis of a woman left abruptly by her husband in Turin. While not directly reviewed as a standalone recommendation in these specific episodes, the short novel was frequently brought up by critics and literary commentators on The Book Review. Greg Cowles discussed reading the title as part of his comprehensive journey through the author's broader bibliography, including her famous Neapolitan series. Cowles and fellow guest John Williams also analyzed the novel in connection with Domenico Starnone's fiction, noting that Starnone's book Ties appeared to be in direct conversation with Ferrante's narrative themes. Furthermore, reviewers highlighted the literary circles surrounding the works, pointing out that Starnone is married to the famously anonymous author behind the pen name Elena Ferrante, making comparisons between their respective explorations of marital breakdown and domestic abandonment a central topic of discussion.
Who recommended it
- Greg Cowles Discussed
- John Williams Discussed
Greg Cowles — 3 mentions
“I have read all of the Neapolitan series I've also read the days of Abandonment a very short novel that she wrote”
“when it came out in Italy in 2014 a number of people have pointed out that it also seems to be in close conversation with the Elena fante novel the days of Abandonment”
“is Ral rate that ties the novel is responding in some way to the novel the days of Abandonment”
John Williams — 1 mention
“it is apparently according to our reviewer Rachel dadio and Gregor grees in conversation with a novel by Elena fante called days of Abandonment and apparently again uh staron is married to the writer who is Elena fante”