The Story of a New Name (The Neapolitan Novels #2)
by Elena Ferrante, Ann Goldstein
The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante, Ann Goldstein holds a highly rated rating of 4.37 out of 5, based on 33.4K reader ratings. First published in 2012. The book spans 471 pages.
About The Story of a New Name
In 2012, Elena Ferrante's My Brilliant Friend introduced readers to the unforgettable Elena and Lila, whose lifelong friendship provides the backbone for the Neapolitan Novels. The Story of a New Name is the second book in this series. With these books, which the New Yorker's James Wood described as "large, captivating, amiably peopled ... a beautiful and delicate tale of confluence and reversal," Ferrante proves herself to be one of Italy's most accomplished storytellers. She writes vividly about a specific neighborhood of Naples from the late-1950s through to the current day and about two remarkable young women who are very much the products of that place and time. Yet in doing so she has created a world in which readers will recognize themselves and has drawn a marvelously nuanced portrait of friendship.In The Story of a New Name, Lila has recently married and made her entrée into the family business; Elena, meanwhile, continues her studies and her exploration of the world beyond the neighborhood that she so often finds stifling. Love, jealousy, family, freedom, commitment, and above all friendship: these are signs under which both women live out this phase in their stories. Marriage appears to have imprisoned Lila, and the pressure to excel is at times too much for Elena. Yet the two young women share a complex and evolving bond that is central to their emotional lives and is a source of strength in the face of life's challenges. In these Neapolitan Novels, Elena Ferrante, the acclaimed author of The Days of Abandonment, gives readers a poignant and universal story about friendship and belonging.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Elena Ferrante, Ann Goldstein |
| Published | 2012 |
| Pages | 471 |
| Genres | Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction |
| Average Rating | 4.37 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 33,395 |
Reader Ratings & Analysis
Rating Overview
How It Compares
Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is The Story of a New Name?
The Story of a New Name is categorized as Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction. Its primary genre classification is Historical Fiction.
Is The Story of a New Name worth reading?
Based on 33.4K reader ratings, The Story of a New Name has an average score of 4.37 out of 5.00, which is considered "Highly Rated."
How many pages is The Story of a New Name?
The Story of a New Name has 471 pages.
Who wrote The Story of a New Name?
The Story of a New Name was written by Elena Ferrante, Ann Goldstein. It was first published in 2012.
What is the ISBN for The Story of a New Name?
The ISBN-13 for The Story of a New Name is 9781609451350.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
