The Story of The Lost Child - Elena Ferrante

⭐ 8.0/10

(Originally written by Tim)

The final book in the series, I found this one a bit long, and was ready to be done with the series about half way through this one. That said, the ending was quite moving, and like the books before it is beautifully written. I think my frustration with the characters and their relationship kind of boiled over, and I was ready to be finished.

It's hard to say anything 4 books in without spoiling things, but this follows the girls from around ages 30 to 65 or so. The time range is way larger than the previous books, and I found it harder to relate to them this time around, maybe because I haven't hit those stages of life yet. I am not a parent, but I a feel comfortable saying they are not good parents, and seeing them repeat the mistakes of their own parents was discouraging .

I'm certain the point of these books is not some cautionary tale, and the cyclical trauma and mistakes is a huge part of the story that is being told. It's more the frustrating relationship between these characters that I grew tired of. As I said in my last review, this is not the beautiful portrait of female friendship over a lifetime that I was sold on, and maybe my expectations are what let me down.

Even after all the criticisms I have, I think it was a great book and a fitting conclusion to the series. I don't think I have read a series that follows a character's life this thoroughly, and it painted a vivid portrait of life in Naples from the 1950s on.