L’amie prodigieuse (L’amica geniale)

Naples, late 1950s. In a neighborhood marked by poverty and violence, two girls, Elena and Lila, forge a life-changing bond. While Lila’s genius is stifled by a job at her father’s shoe shop, Elena is pushed toward academic success, creating a tension that defines their evolving paths. Set against the backdrop of a changing Italy, this is a vivid, visceral portrait of female friendship and the struggle to escape one’s destiny. A powerful journey into the hearts of two unforgettable heroines.

Author: Elena Ferrante

Elena Ferrante is the pseudonym of an Italian writer. Her true identity is currently hidden by choice. Ferrante believes that a writer’s works speak for themselves and defends her decision, calling it "a testimony against the self-promotion obsessively imposed by the media". In 2024, My Brilliant Friend, the book that brought her worldwide recognition, was named novel of the century by the New York Times.