L'amie prodigieuse (Book 3) - The One Who Runs and The One Who Stays: Midtime (French Edition)

After The Brilliant Friend and The Story of a New Name, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay is the continuation of the formidable saga in which Elena Ferrante recounts fifty years of Italian history and the friendship between her two heroines, Elena and Lila. For Elena, as for Italy, a period of great upheaval is about to begin. We are at the end of the 1960s, the events of 1968 are looming, feminist and protest movements are organizing, and Elena, a graduate of the Pisa Normal School and surrounded by academics, is at the forefront. Even if Lila's choices are radically different, the two young women are still as close as ever, a relationship built on love and hate, like two sisters who resemble each other too much. And, once again, circumstances will bring them closer together, then drive them apart, during this tumultuous journey through the 1970s. Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay is no less impressive than its two predecessors. To the historical and intimate dimension is added a political aspect, as the ten years covered by the novel are crucial for Italy, a country in transformation, moving towards modernity.

The novel follows the lives of Elena and Lila as they navigate the significant social and political changes taking place in Italy during the late 1960s and 1970s. Despite their divergent paths, the two women remain deeply connected, their bond alternating between love and hatred, like sisters who are too alike. The narrative weaves together the personal and the political, reflecting the major events and movements that were shaping Italy's transformation into a modern society.

As Elena, now a successful academic, becomes involved in the feminist and protest movements, Lila's choices take her in a different direction. Yet, the women's lives continue to intersect, drawing them closer and then pushing them apart in a tumultuous dance. The historical and intimate elements of the story are seamlessly blended, creating a rich and compelling portrait of two individuals and the changing landscape of their country.

Celle qui fuit et celle qui reste is a powerful continuation of Ferrante's acclaimed Neapolitan Novels, solidifying its place as a literary masterpiece. The novel's depth and complexity, combined with the author's masterful storytelling, make it a must-read for fans of the series and anyone interested in exploring the intricate dynamics of female friendship and the transformative social and political currents of 1970s Italy.

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