.:.Book Bodega.:. discussion

Post your thoughts as you read. Make sure to say which chapter you're on so that there are no spoilers.

Started this a year ago and only read a few chapters. Looking forward to restarting it and reading together!

Chapter 14.
Still waiting to find out what all the fuss is about. Hope it picks up soon!

Adolesence chapter 8-This was slow going but now, background has been given, and I see where they are coming from and don't dislike Lila as much

Just about to finish the Childhood section. It's got me a bit more drawn in than I was initially. I'm enjoying hearing some of the background - somewhat because my paternal grandparents were from Naples and these sound like people they might have spoken about, so that gives me a frame of reference that feels familiar!

Just got the book from the library. Here we go...

ok this book is so much better now that on adolesence-chapter 31. I guess what was annoying was in the childhood chapters how she initially started later with the dolls then jumped back.It was confusing and she could have started from beginning and let us learn who all the characters were naturally rather than all at once. I actually am starting to like the main characters.

Chapter 13 of Adolescence - definitely getting more invested in the characters!

entered the adolescence. First section of the childhood a bit long

Finished. Liked it but the ending was one that implies you need to read the next book. I like series but not ones that seem to have an unresolved issue. Waiting on my library loan of Ruby!

Chapter 3 of adolescence.
Getting better...

Okay - I finished it this afternoon. I did like it -- got more into it as adolescence progressed -- but I agree with Deena (Manon). The ending wasn't really an ending, was it? It was a sort of mid-season break, to use a TV analogy! One thing -- I know these are supposed to be 15 year old kids, and the point is that they grow up fast, but she writes them with a voice that seems much older. Not sure if that's by design or if that's a flaw. Hmmm. What do others think? Anyway - after work tonight, I'm digging back into Ruby!

still struggling with this book a bit. Just started cheaper 25 of adolescence. For adolescence children there seems a level of maturity that just not fit an adolescent. So many family names and characters to keep straight. Thankfully there is a list in the front of the book

chapter not cheaper lol

Having a hard time getting through the book but I'm also finding it difficult to get a good amount of time to read.
All the names are difficult to remember.
Sticking to it though.

Mia wrote: "Okay - I finished it this afternoon. I did like it -- got more into it as adolescence progressed -- but I agree with Deena (Manon). The ending wasn't really an ending, was it? It was a sort of mi..."

It's not the 15-year-old Elena who writes, she writes when she's old (see first chapter of the book), she writes with hindsight.

Of course. I still agree with Joanne, though. What I meant was that, retrospective report aside, the characters seem more like 20-somethings. Granted, different culture/different time. They didn't get the protracted adolescence of America 2000s! :-)

Mia wrote: "Of course. I still agree with Joanne, though. What I meant was that, retrospective report aside, the characters seem more like 20-somethings. Granted, different culture/different time. They didn't ..."
Yes, I see what you mean... Strange indeed, to be getting married à 16, for instance!

Once I got into the adolescence sections I really got into the book. The girls are interesting characters. They attract and repel, love and covet, worry and depend on each other. Very real depiction of how it is to grow up with someone throughout your entire life while trying to figure yourself out.
The growing up fast/mature nature never bothered me because that's just simply how it was and I have first hand experience with this. (My great-grandmother got married at 15, my grandmother at 19. Mia's right. Only here in America do we have Peter Pan syndrome galore.)
The ending was annoying but I wonder if Ferrante wrote a complete story and the publishers decided to break it up into 4 installments? Either way, I know I was annoyed because I wanted more. So glad I stuck it out with the book. Book 2 in the new year???

I think I eventually want to read book 2. Not ready for her style again just yet! Yes - new year read!

Agree with Mia. I want to see what happens, but enjoyed the different type of read for October.