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paiger is Currently Reading

paiger is currently reading

How To Read Water

by Tristan Gooley (Goodreads Author)

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(page 88 of 426)
— Sep 07, 2026 07:39AM

Sep 06, 2026 07:14AM

paiger is currently reading

The Story of a New Name (Neapolitan Novels, #2)

by Elena Ferrante

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Reading for the 2nd time

read in June 2025

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paiger said: " ill need to read the whole series over to truly analyze much because its just so multi-layered. im also only 2/4 books through.. however!! i am a girl with many opinions

what i mostly took from this was the story of two women, in very different ways, ill need to read the whole series over to truly analyze much because its just so multi-layered. im also only 2/4 books through.. however!! i am a girl with many opinions

what i mostly took from this was the story of two women, in very different ways, attempting to establish autonomy through submission.

to escape the despair of poverty in their neighbourhood and live freely, to study was very important for Lenu but especially for Lila. at sixteen she married Stefano only to escape marriage to Marcelo, which without Stefano would have been inevitable, he was the lesser of two evils and so, the only choice she was left with. this marriage was the reason the Cerullos escaped poverty, and initially, Lila had lots of money and power. I dont think she ever truly loved Stefano even before the wedding. I think he was somewhat likeable and her only means to success. when she made the bet with Lenu i think she genuinely believed she would be able to join Lenu in school; because previously it was only poverty that held Lila back. but Lila never went back to school.

after having a child & starting to study independently Lila tells Lenu that Stefano was destroying her books, not wanting her to have even a thought of her own. ugh. such beautiful writing.

none of the money or power Lila intended to marry into was hers. its interesting when women think that if they marry into money, they’re now rich. but really they just become a sort of employee, paid out in a ‘lifestyle’ that can be ripped from them at their employers discretion

I did love getting to know Lenu throughout the novel. she is catastrophically self depreciating, and the only reason she dedicated her life to study was to be like, be better than, and to impress Lila. there were a few points in both this & my brilliant friend that i felt their friendship was sort of homoerotic.. like Lenus obsession with having sex with Antonio the night Lila and Stefano got married, and Lenu having sex with Donato when Lila and Nino spent the night together in Ischia. i know it was meant to play into the “what you do, i do” thing but idk.. sounds kinda gay

i have lots of thoughts on this novel but i shall zip it up and wait to read on instead of talking out of my ass

these novels will be considered classics in years time, such beautiful storytelling and imperfect / realistic characters ...more "

progress:

(page 290 of 471)
— Jun 06, 2025 08:47AM

Jun 13, 2025 09:20AM · see review