Mateo B’s Reviews > The Story of a New Name > Status Update

This book is actually unreal. Again it just keeps getting even more insane. My mouth was open in shock for these past 50 pages. Like unreal stuff. I think I know where this is headed and I am so scared to see it written down on the page. I know I'm only two books in but I've never read characters like Elena and Lila and I don't think similar character have ever been written. What a marvel.

Everytime I think this book has hit peak craziness, something even crazier happens the next chapter. I’m usually pro both Elena and Lila but I feel like the recent developments are indefensible. Poor Elena.

Oh how I love getting frustrated by these two. They just feel so real and every emotion and thought they feel is so tangible. Just like My Brilliant Friend the level of vulnerability is something I’ve never encountered before.

“Are you ashamed of me”

Lila is taking me out in this book as is Elena. Stefano has no idea what he got himself into with Lila and it’s lowkey funny but also very serious. Elena always has me cracking up. Her entire being depends on what her perception of what Lila thinks of her is and not actually what Lila thinks. I don’t know where this is going but hope everything goes well for Lila and Elena and terrible for Stefano and Antonio.

Chapter 7 is one of the most intense passages from any book I have ever read. Ferrante really smacked me in the face with that one. Elena and Lila's relationship is just so fascinating. It's ugly and toxic at times but it's also the one thing that is keeping the two going.

"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want you to see me."
"Others can see you and not me?"
"I don't care about others, I do care about you."