This novel is a deeply compelling look at a female friendship, from childhood through adolescence, and in the case of Italy in the 50s and 60s, (teen) marriage. Ferrante captures perfectly that childhood period that is so often full of stories about scary neighbours, dark basements, and oddly-behaved (adult) relatives. It took a while to draw me in, although on reflection, it is perhaps the mysterious ways of childhood friendships, the things unsaid (unable to be said?) about those early friendships that made the first chapters a more difficult read. Her writing on school, Elena's ups and down of grades, relationships, teachers, all ring very true, even set as it is across a decade, an ocean, and a sea from my own experience. And the blossoming teen sexuality... I want to know what happens next to Elena and Lila and look forward to Book 2 of the series, The Story of a New Name. 
 I will not comment on the mystery surrounding the author, except to say that there is some crazy kind of brilliance working there.