The provocative title of this 2020 novel by the (pseudonymous) Italian writer could be spoken by Giovanna the adolescent girl protagonist and probable narrator. Over 322 pages we follow her from the age of 12 to 16.
Giovanna and her immediate family and friends live in middle class Naples, she discovers her other relations in working class Naples as the story unfolds. Secrets and antagonisms are revealed relationships develop and change. The first person narrative and present tense dialogue deliver an intense and astute psychological insight into the complexity of emotions experienced by a child growing to adulthood. Giovanna’s micro observations, reflections and responses battle with the revealing adult world in a flux of thought and feelings.
Vittoria, the aunt from “old” Naples is, apparently, the family string puller and antagonist, appealing and appalling at the same time. The lies of her and others, especially her father, dawn on Giovanna who is repulsed by this, but learns to play the game of melding truth to protect from guilt, shame, buy time and play tactical games, especially with her parents, friends and potential boyfriends, well everyone! Ferrante seems to be saying lies are part of the oil that enables the adult world to exist and we learn this as we grow up. The book could be seen a development of the aphorism, “Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive”.
Ferrante makes Giovanna into an adept liar, or is that storyteller, yet the girl is not particularly a fantasist for her age, but is dealing with the real world around her. Ferrante links real life and fiction in this quote from her essay “Histories, I”.“The genuine real life, as Dostoyevsky called it, is an obsession, a torment for the writer. With greater or lesser ability we fabricate fictions not so that the false will seem true but to tell the most unspeakable truth with absolute faithfulness through fiction.” Truth can be unspeakable, that sounds true.
Accomplished and human story from a popular novelist and acute observer of people.
Mark's Reviews 