Even more rich than its predecessor, I absolutely devoured this novel. All of the characters feel so real and so raw, but Lenù and Lila are the pinnacle of the well-written characters. Lenù's jealousy of Lila feels so deeply personal to me, especially in Lenù's feelings that everything special about her is distilled from Lila's essence. Her feelings of inadequacy are so relatable to a young woman of her same age. Lila's inability to feel content with her situation is tragic and understandable at the same time. Her stubbornness and refusal to settle or to compromise make her a frustrating character, yet at the same time make her real. There's something deeply poetic about the relationship between Lenù and Lila, in the jealousy that both girls feel for the other, that neither can be happy unless they feel that they are better than the other, and yet neither can be happy while the other is suffering. Overall, I just adore the writing, particularly in the characters.