I loved Elena Ferrante's My Brilliant Friend, but found myself the owner of this book before being able to continue with the Neopolitan series. I loved this novel, and more than My Brilliant Friend. It almost reads like an independent movie from the 70s... or perhaps that's just how I visualized what I was reading. It's bleak and angry and there were some moments on the edge of horror for Olga and her children in the months after her husband leaves her for another woman. I loved the visceral emotion and panic. Though translated, I loved the way it read. I now consider it one of my favorite books.

Reread Nov 2020: still a phenomenal book. Struck my different things this time around, but just as intense as I remembered.