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The Story of a New Name

The Neapolitan Novels, Book 2

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The Story of a New Name

Written by: Elena Ferrante
Narrated by: Hillary Huber
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About this listen

The follow-up to My Brilliant Friend, The Story of a New Name continues the epic New York Times bestselling literary quartet that has inspired an HBO series, and returns us to the world of Lila and Elena, who grew up together in post-WWII Naples, Italy.

In The Story of a New Name, Lila has recently married and made her entrée into the family business; Elena, meanwhile, continues her studies and her exploration of the world beyond the neighborhood that she so often finds stifling. Marriage appears to have imprisoned Lila, and the pressure to excel is at times too much for Elena. Yet the two young women share a complex and evolving bond that is central to their emotional lives and a source of strength in the face of life’s challenges.

In these Neapolitan Novels, Elena Ferrante, “one of the great novelists of our time” (New York Times), gives us a poignant and universal story about friendship and belonging, a meditation on love and jealousy, freedom and commitment—at once a masterfully plotted page-turner and an intense, generous-hearted family saga.

©2012 Edizioni E/O. Translation © 2013 by Europa Editions (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction Italy
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What listeners say about The Story of a New Name

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Addictive

An inside look at cultures, breaking from norms, struggles, complex relationships and the process of change. Beautifully written.

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Brilliant Second Book

I listened to the first book years ago, but for some reason, it felt emotionally distant and I appreciated the writing but felt removed. But I have since watched both television series and reread the first novel. It is truly a brilliant piece of art. Listening to the second book makes me realize what is so important about it, the complexities of the relationships, the subtleties of experience, and moreover, how challenging but perfectly it was adapted for screen.

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I love this series

And this second novel in the series didn’t disappoint. The writer creates a wonderful atmosphere of post-war Naples and the struggle in a small neighbourhood to survive and escape poverty, family tension and the town bullies. The friendship between two women continues and gets more interesting because of the different paths they take. Love it. Starting on book 3 now.

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Excellent.

A detailed look into the endless thoughts of the mind while growing up in a difficult neighborhood.

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engaging from beginning to end.

A story so similar to the lives of my parents living in central Italy during those same years The struggles, the missed opportunities of becoming educated, despite the intelligence and street smarts of the young people. A bygone era so well portrayed with the true sensibilities of the times.

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Loved this book!

Book takes you into an authentic Italian town in the 50’s and 60’s. In book 2 you start to really get to know the characters and their struggles and triumphs. I got fully immersed in this book! Watch Season 1 and 2 while reading books! Now starting Book 3 and can’t wait for Season 3!

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Second of a great series

This was the second book in a series that began with My Brilliant Friend. See my review of Book 4: The Story of the Lost Child, as there I comment on the series and why I loved it.

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Story is engaging but narrator ruins it - monotone

I had read vs listened to the first book and watched the HBO special. i was hoping that Elena would become more of her own character vs act and react/ measure herself in constant relation to Lila. But she did not, and her interminable analysis and review of Lila’s actions, her own reaction and then regret & shame simply prevented this book from moving forward at an interesting pace. Then it rushed the ending with vignettes of the Naples characters’ stories too quickly.
To add, I listened to this book on audible and the narrator was the wrong choice. Very monotone, and so slow. i had to increase the speed by 20% to get through this book.Unfortunately it is the same narrator for the 4 book series.

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1 person found this helpful