In 'The Lying Life of Adults,' Elena Ferrante explores the tumultuous journey of a young girl named Giovanna as she grapples with the complexities of adulthood and identity. Set against the backdrop of a vibrant yet unforgiving Naples, the novel uncovers the dark truths hidden beneath the surface of seemingly perfect relationships. Giovanna's unwitting descent into the adult world reveals the lies people tell themselves and each other. With every revelation, the boundaries of love, betrayal, and the quest for self-discovery blur compellingly. Ferrante's masterful prose invites readers to reflect on the masks we wear and the truths we often dare not face.
By Elena Ferrante
Published: 2020
""We are all the dangerous monsters of our own lives, deeply intertwined, but only we can choose how to face them.""
A powerful new novel set in a divided Naples by Elena Ferrante, the beloved best-selling author of My Brilliant Friend. Giovanna's pretty face has changed: it's turning into the face of an ugly, spiteful adolescent. But is she seeing things as they really are? Into which mirror must she look to find herself and save herself? She is searching for a new face in two kindred cities that fear and detest one another: the Naples of the heights, which assumes a mask of refinement, and the Naples of the depths, which professes to be a place of excess and vulgarity. She moves between these two cities, disoriented by the fact that, whether high or low, the city seems to offer no answer and no escape.
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“"We are all the dangerous monsters of our own lives, deeply intertwined, but only we can choose how to face them."”
The Lying Life of Adults
By Elena Ferrante
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Elena Ferrante is a renowned Italian author, best known for her captivating and evocative storytelling that explores themes of identity, friendship, and the complexities of female experience. Her most notable works include the highly acclaimed 'Neapolitan Novels' series, which comprises 'My Brilliant Friend', 'The Story of a New Name', 'Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay', and 'The Story of the Lost Child'. Ferrante's writing is characterized by its intense psychological depth, rich characterization, and insightful social commentary. Despite her international fame, she has maintained her anonymity, allowing her work to speak for itself.
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