My Brilliant Friend

1. General Impressions 

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• What do you think about the ending of the novel? Were you expecting it to be bleak or optimistic? 
• Have you read the other novels in the series? How have they influenced your view of My Brilliant Friend?
• What do you think the title of the novel reveals about Elena and Lila’s relationship? 

2. Personal Reflection and Connection 

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Did you find Elena or Lila more relatable? Did you like either character more at the end of the novel than at the start?
• Have you ever had a competitive or contentious relationship with a close friend? How did your differences push you apart or bring you together?
• How do you feel about the place(s) where you grew up? How did your physical surroundings affect your upbringing? 
• How did you feel when you read about Marcello wearing Lila’s shoes at the end of the novel? What do you think this says about Lila’s or Stefano’s character?

3. Societal and Cultural Context 

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• Elena Ferrante is a pseudonym and the author’s true identity is a secret. Does this affect the way you view the novel or the themes within?
• What does this novel reveal about the gender roles of women in mid-20th-century Italy? Are these roles also tied to class or education?

4. Literary Analysis 

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• Do you think Elena is a reliable narrator? What about her narration leads you to this conclusion?
• What do you think about the framing story of Lila’s disappearance? Does this influence your understanding of Lila or Elena? 
• What role does education play in the novel? How do the differences in Elena and Lila’s formal and informal education set them apart? 
• What does Elena’s journal article symbolize? What does it reveal about Elena as a character?
• What does Don Achille symbolize? Why do you think Ferrante chose to start her novel with this story from Elena and Lila’s childhood? 
• Elena and Lila’s story is told through four novels. How do you think the breaking up of this story affects the way it is told? 

5. Creative Engagement 

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• If this book were written from Lila’s perspective, how would it be different? How would it be different without the framing narrative of Lila’s disappearance?
• Imagine how the story would be different if it were set in another time period and country. Do you think Lila and Elena would still be friends?