The author of My Brilliant Friend once again writes a novel mostly taking place in Naples with a young girl as narrator. Giovanna’s father has always told her she is beautiful. Yet, one day she overhears him tell her mother that she is ugly and reminds him of his much hated sister, Vittoria. This shocking disclosure changes Giovanna’s life. She becomes suspicious of everyone, especially her parents, does poorly in school, and is enamored with her aunt, Vittoria. Throughout the novel, she encounters people who are lying, especially adults, but sometimes even Giovanna herself.

Written in the same style as the Neapolitan quartet, Ferrante once again displays her knack for getting into the heart and mind of a young girl. Fans of Ferrante’s other works, will not be disappointed in The Lying Life of Adults.