I had high expectations for “My Brilliant Friend” because it’s been consistently popular and receives rave reviews from readers. This was such a letdown though. I’m not sure I liked anything about it.

Elena and Lila are incredibly unlikable. Maybe that changes as they grow older, but to honest, I started skimming around page 140 and that’s how I finished this. To be fair, I’m not sure I cared for any of three characters. 

I kept wondering they the two girls were even friends. Lila is kind of a jerk. 

I can’t be the only one who thought Elena has a thing for Lila. 

Ferrante’s writing didn’t mesh with me either. Maybe it’s partly the translation, but some of the descriptive choices are frustrating as is the sentence structure. 

I was sure I’d like this and read all four books in the series. That’s not the case though.