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My Brilliant Friend
- The Neapolitan Novels, Book 1
- Narrated by: Hillary Huber
- Length: 12 hrs and 38 mins
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Publisher's Summary
Now an HBO series: the first volume in the New York Times bestselling “enduring masterpiece” (The Atlantic) about a lifelong friendship between two women from Naples
Beginning in the 1950s in a poor but vibrant neighborhood on the outskirts of Naples, Elena Ferrante’s four-volume story spans almost sixty years, as its main characters, the fiery and unforgettable Lila and the bookish narrator, Elena, become women, wives, mothers, and leaders, all the while maintaining a complex and at times conflicted friendship.
This first novel in the series follows Lila and Elena from their fateful meeting as ten-year-olds through their school years and adolescence. Through the lives of these two women, Ferrante tells the story of a neighborhood, a city, and a country as it is transformed in ways that, in turn, also transform the relationship between two women.
What the critics say
"Hillary Huber's subtly shaded performance couldn't be better as she reveals the complexities that separate and connect the two women.... Huber's delivery of this well-plotted, absorbing story of friendship will leave listeners wanting more." (AudioFile)
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What listeners say about My Brilliant Friend
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Janie N.
- 2019-06-01
Great listen
Great story, but a bewildering number of character names, since so many had nicknames. I needed to go to the print book to check on who was who. But the world of 1950's Naples is compelling and the narrator was excellent.
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Overall
- Elaine Amador
- 2018-03-26
Captivating.
I could not stop until I finished it. The characters reminded me people I once knew. I can't wait to start the next one.
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2 people found this helpful
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- alexandra e noga
- 2018-07-23
weakest of the series
This is a very interesting book as it deals with a friendship that is 'unusual' from what one usually reads in novels. Of the four neapolitan novels, I found this the least interesting, but it did help to build the 'foundation' for the rest of the novels, and I think as a series it is very good and very interesting.
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4 people found this helpful
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- Nitin
- 2019-03-24
Italian words pronounced with Spanish pronunciation
This really spoiled my mood to listen. That should have been the first thing to ensure: pronounce the Italian names right. It’s a book about Naples! She is pronouncing the names with a Spanish pronunciation.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Peter
- 2019-01-13
Settle in!
Once I settled into the pace another world in amazing detail opened up. An amazing book in simple language.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Sharron padden
- 2023-02-28
My Brilliant Friend
Not the best read I have had. However I didn’t have difficulty finishing it. I kept feeling that the story is for younger people. The ending was very disappointing.
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- camallis
- 2021-04-20
The ending was disappointing.
The story, the characters and the reading were all excellent. I looked forward to listening everyday and came to feel that I knew the cast. But the ending was disappointing. There should have been a link at the end to the beginning of the book. Instead, I went to the beginning and Re listened to the initial paragraphs which formed the necessary link.
Leela’s life really emphasized the riches and treasures that are lost when gender or social status and wealth exclude young people from further education. Although she did come to be involved in electronics - a feat unto itself - and no doubt she mastered the task exceptionally - the exclusion of someone like her at such an early age is a loss to all of society - not just to her.
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- Laurie Hoyda
- 2018-09-14
A Real Surprise.
I chose this book in a bit of a hurry because I had 6 credits waiting in my #Audible1 basket. Since I happen to have a brilliant friend, it made sense.
I listened every morning on my pilgrimage (as I pretend I’m walking the Camino de Santiago) and was pleasantly surprised. I found myself returning to my childhood with memories of my own.
This story of the lives of two young girls, revolves around post WW2 Italy. It is an historical novel, told from their perspective, from their innocence to maturity.
It is a winner, narrated by an accomplished reader, and worthy of commendation for my discriminating book club.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Anonymous User
- 2020-04-03
I read all the books in the series
the narrator had an addictively soothing voice, the story was well written and in such a way where it was very analytical and descriptive. it's kind of how I think and reflect as well, so it was very interesting to read a book that had a heroine that did the same thing, it made me feel like I was in her head
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Iamnotaconsumer
- 2022-11-16
loved it - one of my faves now
Simply enchanting, must read for any woman. The depiction of women friendships is spot on
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