My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (2011), translated by Ann Goldstein
Ferrante’s Neapolitan series are a joyous and accomplished example of the way in which the story of an entire city or even country can be told through the stories of just a few characters. It is a personal and intimate account of a friendship between two women, through which the poverty, corruption and prejudices that run deep into the core of Neapolitan society are revealed and lived out.
This novel proves that translated works can offer nuanced and revelatory access to a culture that you could never experience any other way.
