ŷ

Celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month with These Great Books
Dramatika asked this question about The Story of the Lost Child (Neapolitan Novels, #4):
Do you think Lila could be trusted as a friend? Why Lina continues this toxic relationship with Lila, who to me is perfect illustration of the proverb with friends like this..Lila is complex character, manipulative yet selfless, evil yet kind at the same time, but too dangerous to have as a friend I think.
Jan I think Lina and Lila are more like siblings than friends with times of estrangement and separations throughout the story. There is always one who doe…mǰI think Lina and Lila are more like siblings than friends with times of estrangement and separations throughout the story. There is always one who does more of the work of getting in touch and one who waits secure in the knowledge that the other person will return because they are “home� and the other person was the one to go away, leave and the one at home doesn’t acknowledge any new life someone created as they themselves never left and don’t see anything wrong with where they live this is Lila. It’s almost like Lila can inflict any hurt on Lina and any betrayal for example the pain she suffered when Lila and Nino became a couple in Ischia it is interesting she never talks of these things to Lila she doesn’t tell her the pain she suffered but we seldom get to hear how Lila is suffering as the story is told by Lina. Lila uses her rage and anger to survive in many circumstances and learnt this coping mechanism in childhood it was the only way she knew how to get by it’s her armour. Yet it is their differences and love of the same things that keeps them bonded for example as children they planned to write a book one day like Little Women. I see them as sisters as they were always together in childhood growing up in the neighbourhood they looked to each other for the strengths each one had. Also there are times when Lila is kind helps Lina buying her all the books for school when she cannot afford them brand new books too, another time giving her food to take home from the grocery store. Yes Lina is a toxic character but she is also fascinating too and it is this fascination and love for her that ensures Lina will keep seeking her out throughout her life even though she is the one who “escaped the wretchedness�. Lila is a constant reminder of Lina’s roots and reminds her where she came from and gives her a reason to return home despite escaping it and when she seeks Lila out she also visits her mother and her family at the same time because deep down she has a homesickness for a place she escaped. This shows us that we never truly escape our roots. Lila always brings Lina home. (less)
flag
More questions about The Story of the Lost Child�
Image for The Story of the Lost Child
The Story of the Lost Child
by Elena Ferrante
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars

About ŷ Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the ŷ community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions