During a solo vacation on the Italian coast, Leda, a middle-aged divorced professor, observes a young mother and daughter. Her growing fascination with them triggers buried memories of her own intense and troubled experiences with motherhood, forcing her to confront the complex emotional landscape of her past. This compelling novel delves into the psychological complexities of female identity and the often-unspoken challenges of maternal love, offering a raw and honest exploration of guilt, desire, and personal freedom.

Why You Should Read?

• Delves into the complex realities of motherhood and female identity with unflinching honesty.
• Features Elena Ferrante's signature evocative and psychologically rich prose, drawing readers into Leda's inner world.
• Explores profound themes of guilt, desire, and personal freedom through a compelling narrative.
• Offers a powerful and intimate look at the emotional landscape of a woman grappling with her past.

About the Author

Elena Ferrante is the author of The Lying Life of Adults, The Days of Abandonment, Troubling Love, and The Story of a New Name, among other works. She is also the author of the Neapolitan Quartet, which includes My Brilliant Friend, The Story of a New Name, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, and The Story of the Lost Child. Ferrante's novels have been translated into over 40 languages and have been adapted into critically acclaimed films and television series. She is known for her powerful and intimate explorations of female friendship, motherhood, and identity. Ann Goldstein is an American editor and translator of Italian literature. She is best known for her translations of the works of Elena Ferrante, including the Neapolitan Quartet. Goldstein has also translated works by other notable Italian authors such as Primo Levi, Giacomo Leopardi, and Pier Paolo Pasolini. She was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2015 for her work.