A view of Mt. Vesuvius from Naples, the Italian city that is the setting for Elena Ferrante's novel "My Brilliant Friend."
The “Neapolitan novels” are a series of four books written by Italian author Elena Ferrante (who publishes under a pseudonym). The books trace the fierce, decades-long friendship between Lila and Elena, two working class girls from Naples. The English translations of her books began rolling out in 2012. Since then, Ferrante developed somewhat of a cult following that unexpectedly pushed her books onto bestseller lists.
Much to the delight of loyal Ferrante fans, HBO has just adapted the first book in the series, “My Brilliant Friend,” for the small screen.
In 2015, for a Readers’ Review, Diane discussed “My Brilliant Friend.”
Rethinking leadership in the U.S. African AmericanStudies professor Eddie S. Glaude Jr. says Americans have looked to the political class to create a just democracy for too long – and it hasn't worked. In a new book he argues that we are the leaders we have been looking for and explains what that means for the 2024 election.
Menopause. Once a taboo topic, the "m" word is having a moment – among celebrities, in the media, and in Washington, where President Biden recently signed an order that supports research into women's health. Dr. Sharon Malone says it's about time, and explains why understanding "the change" is critical for a woman's ability to get – and stay -- healthy.
Donald Trump regularly ends his rallies with prayer. He has repeatedly compared himself to Jesus. And last week he started selling a version of the Bible. Robert P. Jones of the Public Religion Research Institute weighs in on Trump’s growing embrace of Christianity.
Donald Trump has made cognitive ability a central issue of the presidential race. But he rarely talks about his own family's experience with dementia. The Washington Post's Michael Kranish on Fred Trump Senior's Alzheimer's disease and what voters deserve to know about a candidate's mental fitness.