From the author of The Days of Abandonment, The Lost Daughter is Elena Ferrante’s most compelling and perceptive meditation on womanhood and motherhood yet. Leda, a middle-aged divorcée, is alone for the first time in years when her daughters leave home to live with their father. Her initial, unexpected sense of liberty turns to ferocious introspection following a seemingly trivial occurrence. Ferrante’s language is as finely tuned and intense as ever, and she treats her theme with a fierce, candid tenacity.

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How was it?

I went in blind and for some reason taught or was about a big tragedy, not the thought provoking book that it is.

The book is well written, it flows nicely, so it’s very easy to read but I didn’t connect with the book. I understood the story but it didn’t speak to me. That might be the case if you’re not a parent and/or a woman. I’m not trying to label this book but I don’t think that I’ve had enough of a similar life experience to fully connect with what’s discussed here.

The book feels like reading a private journal with the innermost thoughts of this woman – Leda – alone on vacation, reflecting on her past and newfound independence. It feels raw and maybe too honest considering that most of what is said might not endear her to some readers.

It’s an interesting book that I might have to circle back to when I’ve lived a little more.

The Lost Daughter is available on The Book Depository, Amazon, Audible and other book retailers near you.

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