'The Lying Life of Adults' by Elena Ferrante is a coming of age novel that follows the teenage girl protagonist, Giovanna, as she navigates the complexities of growing up in Naples. The story delves into themes of identity, betrayal, and self-discovery as Giovanna moves beyond the sheltered life of her parents into the seedier side of Naples, encountering a mix of characters from different social backgrounds. The narrative is filled with harsh lessons, family secrets, and rebellious decisions that shape Giovanna's journey towards independence and maturity. Ferrante's writing style is described as perceptive, incisive, and original, offering a riveting and exuberant voice that captures the essence of adolescence.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of family dysfunction, emotional abuse, and discussions of mental health issues.
Has Romance?
There is a medium level of romance present in The Lying Life of Adults, featuring themes of first love and emotional complexities within relationships.
From The Publisher:
A NEW YORK TIMES & NATIONAL BESTSELLER
A BEST BOOK OF 2020
The Washington Post・O, The Oprah Magazine・TIME Magazine・NPR・People Magazine・The New York Times Critics・The Guardian・Electric Literature・Financial Times・Times UK・Irish Times・New York Post・Kirkus Reviews・Toronto Star・The Globe and Mail・Harper's Bazaar・Vogue UK・The Arts Desk
A POWERFUL NEW NOVEL set in a divided Naples by ELENA FERRANTE, the New York Times best-selling author of My Brilliant Friend and The Lost Daughter. Soon to be a NETFLIX Original Series.
"Another spellbinding coming-of-age tale from a master."-People Magazine, Top 10 Books of 2020
Giovanna's pretty face is changing, turning ugly, at least so her father thinks. Giovanna, he says, looks more like her Aunt Vittoria every day. But can it be true? Is she really changing? Is she turning into her Aunt Vittoria, a woman she hardly knows but whom her mother and father clearly despise? Surely there is a mirror somewhere in which she can see herself as she truly is.
Giovanna is searching for her reflection in two kindred cities that fear and detest one another: Naples of the heights, which assumes a mask of refinement, and Naples of the depths, a place of excess and vulgarity. She moves from one to the other in search of the truth, but neither city seems to offer answers or escape.
Named one of 2016's most influential people by TIME Magazine and frequently touted as a future Nobel Prize-winner, Elena Ferrante has become one of the world's most read and beloved writers. With this new novel about the transition from childhood to adolescence to adulthood, Ferrante proves once again that she deserves her many accolades. In The Lying Life of Adults, readers will discover another gripping, highly addictive, and totally unforgettable Neapolitan story.
"There's no doubt [the publication of The Lying Life of Adults] will be the literary event of the year."-ELLE Magazine
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