The novel opens with Lila disappearing. How did that beginning shape the way you experienced the story?

Everything we learn about Lila and the neighborhood comes through Elena’s memories. How much do you trust Elena’s portrayal of Lila—and of the world they grew up in?

Elena and Lila’s friendship includes admiration, jealousy, competition, and deep attachment. How would you describe their relationship overall? Does it feel healthy, toxic, or somewhere in between?

Elena often defines herself in relation to Lila. To what extent does she demonstrate an independent identity?

The Naples neighborhood occupies a significant physical as well as psychological space in the novel. To what extent do you think the girls’ identities and ambitions are shaped by it? Do you think anyone can really escape it?

Violence—whether physical or emotional—is common in the community. How does Ferrante depict the normalization of violence within the community? How does it affect the way the girls grow up?

The adults in the novel often seem harsh or limiting. Do you see any adult characters as positive influences, or are they all shaped by the same cycle?

Language is important in the novel, especially the difference between dialect and standard Italian. How does speaking “proper” Italian change the way Elena sees herself—or the way others see her?

Elena continues her education, while Lila is forced to stop. Do you think education truly changes Elena’s life? If Lila had stayed in school, would her future have been different?

How does ambition look different for boys compared to girls in the neighborhood

How does envy function as a driving force in the novel? Is it primarily destructive, or does it also motivate growth and self-improvement?

Who is truly “brilliant” in the novel—Lila, Elena, or both in different ways? How does Ferrante challenge traditional definitions of intelligence and success?