How Ferrante Completes the Best Tetralogy of the 21st Century (video)

Ferrante’s “My Brilliant Friend” tetralogy is regarded as the best literary work of the 21st century, according to The New York Times. That’s why the literary world has coined one term to describe the widespread phenomenon surrounding this contemporary Italian writer: Ferrantemania.

Elena Ferrante is one of the most widely read authors worldwide, yet she has never been seen or interviewed. She has chosen to remain anonymous, preferring to stay in the shadows and maintain her unrecognizable identity. It’s widely believed that the name Elena Ferrante is a pseudonym.

The first book in the tetralogy, “My Brilliant Friend”, has sold over ten million copies globally. The saga, chronicling the lifelong friendship between two women, Elena and Lila, from a poor Neapolitan neighborhood, has taken the world by storm. Literary critics have compared the phenomenon to a pandemic, dubbing it Ferrantemania.

My Brilliant Friend tells the poignant story of Elena and Lila’s friendship, beginning in childhood and continuing into old age. Their bond endures through decades of hardship, struggle, and growth. Born into a poor, violent environment, they fight to overcome poverty, betrayal, and societal oppression. Yet, despite their successes, they are deeply tied to their toxic pasts and remain forever rooted in their origins. The narrative goes beyond friendship and love, providing a profound exploration of the political and social upheaval occurring in Italy during their lifetimes.

Newmag Publishing House translated and published the first book of the series in Armenian in 2021, introducing Armenian readers to the world of Ferrantemania. Critics have been captivated by the way Ferrante’s storytelling resonates across the globe, crafting a portrayal of two women’s lives and friendship in a way never seen before.

This story is far from an idealized relationship. Ferrante’s formula for true friendship is a complex blend of competition, deep admiration, shame, and jealousy. The final book, “The Story of the Lost Child”, is the most anticipated and sensational part of this extraordinary narrative, bringing Elena (Lena Greco) and Lila (Raffaella Cerullo) to the conclusion of their tumultuous and captivating journey.