The Lying Life of Adults
By Elena Ferrante
Europa Editions
Translated by Ann Goldstein
Wow, wow, wow. If only it were a quartet like her Neapolitan series. Elena Ferrante’s new standalone novel, The Lying Life of Adults is a tremendous read – in some ways a classic coming-of-age stories, but in other ways like nothing you’ve ever read before.
The protagonist, Giovanna, is a teenager growing up in Naples in a (so she thinks) happy home with two academics for parents. She overhears a disparaging remark her father makes early on in the story, comparing Giovanna to an aunt who the family hates and never sees. This sparks Giovanna’s insecurity and her curiosity, which drives her to seek out her aunt to see what the fuss is all about.
Author Ferrante’s Neapolitan series, which begins with My Brilliant Friend, which has been made into an HBO series, is also about young women growing up in Naples. But this story weaves similar themes with a dark and twisty lens. There are friendships, betrayals, scandals and more, all without resorting to overblown drama.
The novel is translated from the original Italian, but the translation is seamless and natural. Ferrante is a wonderful writer, with the streets and personalities of southern Italy brought to life in all their splendour and sleaze. I loved this novel, devouring it over two late night reads. Enjoy.
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