Book Two - The Story of a New Name - Neapolitan Novels

Overall the series is brilliantly written and compelling to read. The first book, which focuses on childhood and early relationships of low income families and the meaning of education to the children's expectations for their futures is fascinating -- Especially for readers of a different generation and income levels, is a learning experience. The second in the series is quite interesting, but is somewhat repetitious and not as revealing. I, however, look forward to reading the entire series.

First half was slow, too focused on the gossip of the neighborhood. But Lina's affair, the end of her marriage, Lenu's academic ascent, and finally her book kept me riveted. Author's insight into the changes in women's opportunities is fascinating. Her wisdom about human character gives the book universal appeal.

The second book of this series is even better than the first. I have not been enraptured by this style of book in a very long time. It could qualify as chick lit to some, but this book has emotional depth. I did not want it to end. Thank goodness there are more books in the series.

I am enjoying this series by Ferrante. She conveys a true feeling of the time and the place and reminds us how culturally different we all were a half a century ago, before the logo-azation of the world. I would love to know if when this translated novel states, "he said in dialect", if was written in dialect in the original language or if it translated verbatim.

Elena Ferrante just goes on and on, dragging us with her, her character, and stories. They are so brilliant in content and execution. The complexity of the characters' lives make for complexity in the books - why and how - but an inner centeredness that always makes sense.

The relationship between the two protagonists evolve as they grow older and becomes more complex and dark. The shared love stories and different paths they take are described in a slow mood of regret and nostalgia. To read leisurely without expecting any true literary gems.

Although the English translation is disappointing, the relationship depicted in these novels is so gripping and the characters so vivid that I usually lost sight of the prose. I'm just about to finish the third novel and eager to go on to the fourth. Highly recommended.

The most secret moves of human/woman mind are shown in a very documentary manner. So you don't feel alone with them (before the book, I though only I have these in fact tabu thoughts) - maybe its natural to feel things in that way, so you don't feel ashamed. And like a real life the story is running like tsunami and then settles for hundred pages like a fly in honey.
This book - together with the other parts of the story - is really a masterpiece. Its worth reading, living and then hopefully forgetting.

This book developed two characters in a way that makes the reader feel disadvantaged but exhilarated. Disadvantaged that we will not ever converse with these girls/women. Exhilarated that we've gotten to eavesdrop through out the book. I've never gasped in a book before. I gasped in this one.

Elena Ferrante writes with the intrigue and fierceness of an old school Russian novelest, akin to Dostoyevsky. I read all 4 books consecutively and it was thrilling and entertaining and suspenseful, Of Epic proportions and intriguing. I loved the series and can't imagine jsut reading one of her books all 4 should be read to enjoy the full scope of the story she is telling. And she does tell an amazing story. I loved the book.

Elena Ferrante is an exceptional author. She brings you into both the intellectual and the ordinary lives of the people of Naples. Spoiler alert: this is the second of a 4-part series, originally written as one very long book. Although each book can stand of their own, they are best read in sequence.

Beautifully written memoir with emotion that must be felt first hand by a woman to get at this gut level. The plot moves on rapidly and keeps the reader engaged throughout. The details provide vivid pictures that makes one feel as if they were seeing Naples and the surrounding area first hand.

I highly recommend Elena Ferrante's books, not just The Story of a New Name.

Ferrante’s ability to develop characters throughout the story is excellent. The economics and politics of post war Naples are always front and center to support the motivations and actions of the characters. You are drawn in and you can’t put it down. I can’t wait for the HBO series.

I found this novel and the whole series of Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante to be fascinating and engrossing. I enjoyed the opportunity to gain an inside view into an Italy I have never seen or learned about before. I also appreciated the frank and sometimes painful and demeaning honesty and self-examination of the main character and story-teller.

A continuation of the analysis of a deep friendship between Lila and Lenu, two girls growing up in post-war Naples. Elena Ferrante is a brilliant writer. Her characterizations of women and their relationships are incredibly perceptive. Her writing is evocative and sensitive. This is the second volume in the Neapolitan Quartet. I've read three and can't wait until the fourth is available in English translation.

This is the fourth and final novel in Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan Novels. Ms Ferrante (not her real name) has achieved literary brilliance throughout the four novels and never more profoundly than in the final fifty or sixty pages. A literary masterpiece. Thank you Ms Ferrante; and thank you Ms Ann Goldstein for your magnificent translations.

Elena Ferrante creates this amazing story that lets us experience two women mature into adulthood. They show us what real friendships and real loving relationships require. She gives us lots of surprising romantic twists that just make Elena and Leni more clear about what they value.

A completely engaging novel. It's a breeze to read and this is a credit not only to the writer but to the translator as well. It's simple but not simple at all. I'm on to the third instalment of this four part novel.

Elena's constant self-doubt, her sense of how others see her in a world alien to her own, the way Lila and her life haunt her (Elena) are immediate and credible; and one could never imagine where this book takes its characters after "My Brilliant Friend." Yet, once revealed, the weight of culture, the weight of the neighborhood is felt.

Almost finished with fourth book in the Neapolitan novels - interesting. Learning about life in Italy in 50s through 80s and women's place in society and politics of the times. Not exactly the beautiful Italy I have visited twice in the last 10 years.

I very much enjoyed this book, the second book of the Three Neapolitan Novels. My book group is reading all three, beginning with My Brilliant Friend and ending with Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay which I am very excited to begin immediately. Book number one introduced the many characters BEAUTIFULLY in terms of language, relationships, and depth of character. It's main focus was on the complex friendship between two girls, Lila and Elena which happens to be the author's name. Book number 2 follows that relationship into teen and young adulthood. The author has great insht into her character, provides interesting plotting any

I loved the first book in the series and subsequently read the second one which I also enjoyed. Elena Ferrante has an easy style that's makes for relaxed reading. Her characters are very well drawn and it's easy to get "lost" in the plot. I can't wait to begin the third book....

I read the first book in this series... My Brilliant Friend... then immediately bought The Story of a New Name. I enjoyed the development and maturation of the female characters in this book. I would recommend it. It is a thought provoking book about bettering oneself and the dues that have to be paid.

I found the relationship between Lina and Elena tedious and the other characters rather unlikable. Products of a violent, male-dominated culture, the women really suffered in this novel, which should have been consolidated with the first in the trilogy.

A wonderful book, almost as powerful as the first one in the series. I am very glad to have had the chance to make these books a part of my life. She's not trying to "do anything with the Novel" and precisely because she isn't, she does.

The author has an unusual voice and writing style filling the story with insights and analyses. Her relationships are explored in depth that occasionally feels repetitive. She is undoubtedly a close observer of human behavior and motivations and is sensitive to her own actions and reactions. It is best read in small lots to savor her progress as well as the emotional progressions of her many characters.

A enjoyed this, the second of the series, even more than the first. The complex lives of the key characters- lives expanding and lives contracting, are fascinating and real. You really care about these women.

Second novel and better than the first. The author draws the reader into the community and social network of the characters. I'm onto the third novel and am already dreading the time when I have read the series for then I will miss my visits with Lina and Elena.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It might not be everyone's cup of tea because it's rather slow paced and hasn't any car chases, explicit sex, or over the top violence. It's not a video game. It's a very well written piece of literature.

In this second part of Elena Ferrante's proposed trilogy (The first being "My Brilliant Friend") the discerning reader will notice there is a more claustrophobic intensity and compression of characters' interactions than in the first book. This is to be expected since there is a coalescing of family units so to speak.

Lila has married Stefano, ending her school career, leaving her friend Elena hurt and puzzled. If it is not a bad match financially, it certainly is a tumultuous and destructive as Vesuvius. Elena comes to accept that her happiness, and destiny is not with the old ways, but in scholarly pursuits.

Yet even in her quest for schooling (having won an award to attend school in Padua) she is still chained to the old neighborhood, its dialect, caste system, family obligation, mores. The contrasts between Lila and Elena become greater as their friendship evolves to accommodate two childhood friends who are becoming adults. Whereas as into the first the action took place basically in a small part of Naples but its characters' horizons and expectations were limitless, as befits youth, now there is travel and different settings but an closing of possibilities.

This second volume becomes more melodramatic and compressed than the first and I may have become prejudiced by the fact that I had read the first volume. While it is not totally required for the reader to have read the first volume, it should be suggested since there are many subtle undercurrents that he would miss otherwise. It was certainly endearing to watch how the relationships between Elena and her teachers morphs into child-student to teacher, to youth-ex student to former teacher. Elena Ferrante has certainly painted a subtle picture with many hues of color to be discerned.

Elena Ferrante is an excellent story teller. Her books are simply page turners. After having read My brilliant friend (in Norwegian) I had to know what would happen next with the two childhood friends and read with great interest The Story of a New Name. Presently I'm half way through the follow up book (no 3) Those who leave and those who stay. And I'm looking forward to next book, which I understand will be released fall 2015! The story reaches out to the reader on many levels and indeed inspire inspires to reflection! Many thanks to Elena Ferrante!

A wonderful trilogy of an unfamiliar Italian upbringing. I couldn't wait to read books 2 and 3. Worth the time although I found the writing style to be very sparse - it's always difficult to determine whether that is the writer or the translator.

This sequel to the first novel of the Naples trilogy, is equally captivating as "My brilliant Friend".
Again we find different levels of description of the realities of the period 1960's.
The friendship between Elena Greco and Raffaela Cerullo (aka Lina, aka Lila), now continues in a credible adult world.
Excellent. I am now compelled to read the 3rd volume of the trilogy.

This second installment in the series about two women growing up in Naples is excellent. The contrast between the two paths the women take and the realistic depiction of their culture is completely engrossing. When I finished I wanted to read the next book right away, but it won't be available in English until later this year.

Although the history of the time is really interesting, unfortunately, the main character is not. She seems to be sleepwalking through history and her life. Had I not read the first 2 novels I would have given up on this.