The book really succeeds in portraying life in post-war working class Naples - communal life and street life, violence and unapologetic sexism, poverty, grit.
Most will relate to Ferrante's perspective on friendship. The dynamics between best friends at a tender age and all the vulnerability in the first flush of youth.

But despite its many merits, the book felt too much like the beginning of a series to me. Or perhaps I'm just not a very patient reader. I don't think I'll read the remaining three books but I'm very eager to pick up her novellas!