The Story of a New Name: The Neapolitan Novels, Book 2 cover art

The Story of a New Name: The Neapolitan Novels, Book 2

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The Story of a New Name: The Neapolitan Novels, Book 2

By: Elena Ferrante
Narrated by: Hilary Huber
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About this listen

The Story of a New Name is an extraordinary novel about two young women, Lila and Elena, growing up in Naples in the early 1960s.

At 16 Lila marries the shopkeeper Stefano. She is filled with pleasure at her new wealth and horror at the life she has chosen.

Elena’s own attempts at romance seem to be sabotaged by Lila’s turbulent affairs. As she tries to plot her way out of poverty via academic and literary success, her constant anxiety is that she is just a shadow of the brilliant Lila.

The sequel to My Brilliant Friend, The Story of a New Name continues the enthralling chronicle of a friendship that is obsessive, loving, complicated, hurtful, enduring and constantly startling. It is an exhilarating experience.

©2012 Edizioni E/O (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Funny

Critic Reviews

"Ferrante’s writing has no limits, is willing to take every thought forward to its most radical conclusion and backward to its most radical birthing." ( The New Yorker)
"Elena Ferrante will blow you away." (Alice Sebold)
All stars
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loved the story, loved the way it was written and narrated. will certainly buy a sequel.

Brilliant !

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I'm really enjoying the Neapolitan series. it's so rare to be able to follow the story of a friendship of two girls (who become women throughout) who are so insightful intelligent complex and different.

engrossing Delight

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I was trapped and couldn't put it away. I loved the reader, she did the story justice. It is a beautiful story of 2 people confined in their world and how they survive in post WW2 Italy.

brilliant

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The story and characters are gripping. I am going to download book three now. I have had many hours of varying emotions as I listened.

A must read

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Yes. Wonderful, gripping. I am with her at every turn. Vunerable, questioning. Was Naples really like this?

better than the first?

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Complex real characters who you will love and dislike in equal measure. Sad and gritty story. Every page beautifully written. I am biased due to my Neapolitan heritage, but I confirm it’s authenticity and would recommend it to anyone.

Highly recommended

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I really loved the first book and have thoroughly enjoyed the second!
The characters are exceptionally written and I couldn't wait to get in the car to listen to the progression of the story.

Engaging story

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A very rich portrayal of a girl's striving to escape the poverty of her home village and the divergence between her life and that of her friend. Look forward to being inmersed in book 3.

Uncertainty and fragility of self and friendship

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Hilary Huber is perfect match for this series. Love the books and her reading and pronunciation of al the Italian places/things

Perfect reader for this series

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Beautiful imagery amongst raw observations complimented by the clear enunciation in this performance. An insight into the struggle to succeed.

Captivating prose

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