DiscoverThe Book ReviewBook Club: 'My Brilliant Friend,' by Elena Ferrante
Book Club: 'My Brilliant Friend,' by Elena Ferrante

Book Club: 'My Brilliant Friend,' by Elena Ferrante

Update: 2024-08-231
Share

Description

This July, The New York Times Book Review published a list of The 100 Best Books of the 21st Century. The top choice was “My Brilliant Friend,” by Elena Ferrante, translated by Ann Goldstein.

The book is the first novel in Ferrante’s so-called Neapolitan quartet, which tracks the lifelong friendship between Lenù and Lila, two women from a rough neighborhood in Naples, Italy, even as family, relationships and work pull their lives in different directions.

In this week’s episode, MJ Franklin discusses the book with fellow editors Joumana Khatib, Emily Eakin and Gregory Cowles. 


Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Comments 
loading
00:00
00:00
1.0x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Book Club: 'My Brilliant Friend,' by Elena Ferrante

Book Club: 'My Brilliant Friend,' by Elena Ferrante

The New York Times