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L'amore molesto

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'L'amore molesto' by Elena Ferrante follows the story of Delia, a daughter who returns to her hometown after her mother's mysterious death. Delia discovers her mother's secret life and embarks on a journey through Naples to uncover the truth about her mother's past. The narrative is described as emotionally claustrophobic and entwines Delia's memories with her mother's last hours, creating a dark and twisty exploration of family relationships and identity struggles. The writing style is noted for its brutal honesty about human nature, with a sparse yet compelling prose that evokes a strong sense of place in Naples.

Characters:

Characters are complex, exhibiting strained relationships and emotional intricacies, particularly between Delia and her mother.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is captivating and sparse, creating an emotionally intense and psychologically rich narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around Delia's exploration of her mother's life and death, revealing deep family secrets and a tumultuous past.

Setting:

The Naples setting is rich and contributes significantly to the book's claustrophobic and intense atmosphere.

Pacing:

The pacing can be erratic, which affects the narrative's engagement and flow.

Notes:

Elena Ferrante's first novel is titled 'L'amore molesto' or 'Troubling Love'.
The book explores the complex relationship between Delia and her mother, Amalia.
Delia grapples with her mother's mysterious drowning and past secrets.
Themes of familial estrangement and childhood memories are prevalent in the story.
The setting of the novel in Naples contributes to its claustrophobic and intense atmosphere.
Ferrante's writing style is described as sparse yet compelling, creating depth in the narrative.
There are strong parallels drawn between Delia and Amalia, highlighting their shared struggles and traits.
The narrative unfolds over a short time frame, primarily focusing on a 24-hour period after the mother's death.
Some readers felt the story was hard to engage with due to its focus on bodily functions and the rawness of certain scenes.
Critics often note Ferrante's ability to vividly depict relationships and emotional turmoil.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of death, emotional abuse, complicated family dynamics, and references to bodily functions.

From The Publisher:

Portato sullo schermo con successo da Mario Martone, L’amore molesto resta come uno dei romanzi italiani più importanti e originali degli ultimi anni. Un romanzo che ha rivelato il talento di Elena Ferrante, autrice schiva e lontana dai milieux letterari.

La trama ruota intorno al rapporto tra Delia e la madre Amalia, un rapporto madre-figlia scavato con crudeltà e con passione. «Mia madre annegò la notte del 23 maggio, giorno del mio compleanno, nel tratto di mare di fronte alla località che chiamano Spaccavento...».

Questo è l’incipit del romanzo. Che cosa è accaduto ad Amalia? Chi c’era con lei la notte in cui è morta? È stata davvero la donna ambigua e incontentabile che sua figlia si è sempre immaginata?

L’indagine di Delia si snoda in una Napoli plumbea che non dà tregua, trasformando una vicenda di quotidiani strazi familiari in un thriller domestico che mozza il respiro.

 
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