So many outrageous things happening in these artists’ lives! So far, out of the two I’ve listened to, BOTH (Pollock and Picasso) spent their teen years shooting stray cats!!!! 💔 Go back to painting, boys!!!
It's SO fascinating!! I hadn't seen that article, but have read others. Thanks so much for sharing!
I don't know what's worse: never ever finding out the identity of Ferrante OR finding out that she's been a man this entire time. Maybe if the author passes away, I'd like to be at peace knowing that nothing new will come and that it's finally time to know?
I am similarly torn! But I think there are maybe even more layers to peel back if Ferrante is indeed Starnone that touch on Italian class, social roles, and expectations (which obviously parallel the Neapolitan novels themselves!).
You get to ask different questions, and explore different avenues if you imagine Ferrante as a woman vs a man (Starnone or not). And the exploration is what has captivated me the most with Ferrante in a magical way!
I think the actual identity of Ferrante is secondary to the choice of authorial anonymity which is what sparks (and I think will continue to spark) such a deep reading experience🌟🌟
Ahhh there’s so much good stuff in this post! I love the photos and the (very!!!) interesting people you featured. I’m so happy you found me via Petya! And I’m very curious to hear what you think of The Days of Abandonment. Thank you for sharing My Brilliant Ferrante!
I just finished the book and woowwww, the amount of feelings described! I feel like I was intimately in the dark, swirling cloud of that apartment with Olga and her children and Otto (RIP). I read it quickly, not only because of the length, but because the anxiety of that environment propelled me to.
Honestly, I keep thinking of the parts where she was realizing that she didn't know her own personhood very well--that she had to actively begin differentiating between what was her personality/way of living and what was actually Mario's. I'm impressed by that level of writing, and I know it's going to take me a bit to process those characters and what they went through!
Yes! Yes! Yes! You read it so well. That differentiation between her and Mario is incredible. The stuff with Carla, then Otto??! There’s so much in such a short book and she (Ferrante) is a marvel. I hope you’ll chime in when we discuss this book the first week of August! I love your perspective on it.
YES! My favorite pod ever - so bro-y but addicting
So many outrageous things happening in these artists’ lives! So far, out of the two I’ve listened to, BOTH (Pollock and Picasso) spent their teen years shooting stray cats!!!! 💔 Go back to painting, boys!!!
Those were my two least favorite series only bc the boys were SO DEPRESSING. Listen to Frida’s series and your life will change
You've influenced me again—she's next up on the list! Thank you!!
The Frida one is AMAZING! I’ve got 2 more episodes left and it really is life changing lol
Okay even more motivated now!! Promise there’s no cat murder? 🥹
Promise 🥹 I need to decide which one I’m listening to next!!
I am in the middle of the Neapolitan quartet and cannot recommend it enough - and if the Ferrante authorial mystery is as compelling to you as it is to me, I loved this Lithub piece from a few years ago https://lithub.com/have-italian-scholars-figured-out-the-identity-of-elena-ferrante/
It's SO fascinating!! I hadn't seen that article, but have read others. Thanks so much for sharing!
I don't know what's worse: never ever finding out the identity of Ferrante OR finding out that she's been a man this entire time. Maybe if the author passes away, I'd like to be at peace knowing that nothing new will come and that it's finally time to know?
How do you feel?
I am similarly torn! But I think there are maybe even more layers to peel back if Ferrante is indeed Starnone that touch on Italian class, social roles, and expectations (which obviously parallel the Neapolitan novels themselves!).
You get to ask different questions, and explore different avenues if you imagine Ferrante as a woman vs a man (Starnone or not). And the exploration is what has captivated me the most with Ferrante in a magical way!
I think the actual identity of Ferrante is secondary to the choice of authorial anonymity which is what sparks (and I think will continue to spark) such a deep reading experience🌟🌟
This comment hit me hard, like you just wrote me a love poem or something!!!
💌💌💌
Ahhh there’s so much good stuff in this post! I love the photos and the (very!!!) interesting people you featured. I’m so happy you found me via Petya! And I’m very curious to hear what you think of The Days of Abandonment. Thank you for sharing My Brilliant Ferrante!
Can't wait for your reading group to start!
I just finished the book and woowwww, the amount of feelings described! I feel like I was intimately in the dark, swirling cloud of that apartment with Olga and her children and Otto (RIP). I read it quickly, not only because of the length, but because the anxiety of that environment propelled me to.
Honestly, I keep thinking of the parts where she was realizing that she didn't know her own personhood very well--that she had to actively begin differentiating between what was her personality/way of living and what was actually Mario's. I'm impressed by that level of writing, and I know it's going to take me a bit to process those characters and what they went through!
Yes! Yes! Yes! You read it so well. That differentiation between her and Mario is incredible. The stuff with Carla, then Otto??! There’s so much in such a short book and she (Ferrante) is a marvel. I hope you’ll chime in when we discuss this book the first week of August! I love your perspective on it.
Thank you, Kolina!!! I can't wait to see the discussions in your writing and its comments! ❤️