'Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay' by Elena Ferrante is the third installment in 'The Neapolitan Novels' series, focusing on the complex friendship between Lila and Elena as they navigate through life in 1960s and 1970s Italy. The story delves into themes of feminism, politics, friendship, and the societal constraints placed on women, providing a raw and honest portrayal of the characters' struggles and relationships. The narrative follows Elena and Lila's personal growth, challenges, and choices against the backdrop of a changing Italy, capturing the nuances of their evolving friendship and individual journeys.
The writing style in 'Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay' is praised for its depth and character development, with readers appreciating the multi-dimensional and relatable nature of the protagonists. Elena Ferrante's storytelling skill is highlighted for its ability to immerse readers in the lives of Lila and Elena, portraying their complexities, insecurities, and aspirations with a compelling and engaging narrative. weaves together personal narratives with broader social and political contexts, offering a rich tapestry of emotions and experiences that resonate with readers on a universal level.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of domestic violence, sexual politics, and a general atmosphere of political unrest, including violence and class struggles.
Has Romance?
There are significant romantic elements, particularly surrounding Elena's relationships and the complexities they introduce to her friendship with Lila.
From The Publisher:
The Neapolitan Quartet Book Three
Part of the bestselling saga about childhood friends following different paths by "one of the great novelists of our time" (The New York Times).
In the third book in the New York Times-bestselling Neapolitan quartet that inspired the HBO series My Brilliant Friend, Elena and Lila have grown into womanhood. Lila married at sixteen and has a young son; she has left her husband and the comforts her marriage brought and now works as a common laborer. Elena has left the neighborhood, earned her college degree, and published a successful novel, all of which has opened the doors to a world of learned interlocutors and richly furnished salons. Both women are pushing against the walls of a prison that would have seen them living a life of misery, ignorance, and submission. They are afloat on the great sea of opportunities that opened up for women during the 1970s. And yet, they are still very much bound to each other in a book that "shows off Ferrante's strong storytelling ability and will leave readers eager for the final volume of the series" (Library Journal).
"One of modern fiction's richest portraits of a friendship." -NPR
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