Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Quartet spawned a global phenomenon, and in 2024, new York Times Name my brilliant friend—The first book in the series—the best book of the century so far. This is a big deal!
So what does it take to be #1, and what does the selection reveal about modern reading habits and values?
Find out in this week’s episode Zero to well-readAs Jeff and Rebecca discover the book that ignited “Ferrante Fever” and the mysterious author readers praise for capturing girlhood and female friendship like no one else.
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say what now?
To preview the episode, I leave you with some irreverent quotes from the show.
“This is what she’s after: making things, being in the world, but not being subject to everyone else’s bullshit all the time. Also: Which of us???”
“Only an Italian would write a book where hand-made shoes are so important.”
“They’re ready to bite someone’s head off because their Chicken Kiev was late!”
“We get it, your friend is strangely compelling and it makes you feel some kind of way.”
“Anyone who thinks like this will go straight to jail…” –For that hot take, you have to listen to the episode.
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