How Does 'My Brilliant Friend' End?

2025-06-26 17:06:35 237

3 answers

Quincy
Quincy
2025-07-02 21:48:15
The finale of 'My Brilliant Friend' leaves readers with a mix of satisfaction and lingering questions. Lila disappears without a trace, leaving behind only a pair of shoes and her son Rino. Elena, our narrator, is left to piece together Lila's life from fragments, realizing how much of their friendship was built on rivalry and unspoken tensions. The ending isn't neat—it's raw and real, reflecting how life doesn't wrap up neatly. Lila's vanishing act feels symbolic of her entire existence, always slipping through society's grasp yet profoundly shaping those around her. What sticks with me is how Elena continues writing, using words to reclaim what was lost between them.
Damien
Damien
2025-06-28 02:26:52
After following Elena and Lila's turbulent friendship across decades, the ending hit me like a freight train. Lila's disappearance isn't just a plot twist—it's the ultimate rebellion against the constraints of their Naples neighborhood. She erases herself completely, abandoning even her cherished son, which some readers might find unforgivable. But consider this: throughout the series, Lila fought against being defined—by poverty, by men, by Elena's narratives. Her vanishing is the last act of control.

Elena's response fascinates me. She doesn't collapse; she reconstructs Lila through writing. The final pages show Elena typing furiously, trying to capture the essence of their friendship before it fades. This mirrors Ferrante's entire theme—how women's lives get rewritten by others. The brilliance lies in what's unsaid: we never learn if Elena truly understands Lila, or if she's just creating another version of her for the page. The ending lingers because it makes you question every memory Elena shared.
Thomas
Thomas
2025-06-27 22:51:47
That ending wrecked me in the best way. Lila doesn't get a dramatic death scene—she just stops existing on paper, like she finally broke free from the story. Elena's left holding the pieces, switching between anger and admiration. The genius is in the details: Lila's son grows up resembling Stefano more than Nino, showing how the past keeps haunting them. Their neighborhood keeps changing, but the cycles of violence and gossip remain.

What sticks with me is the last image of Elena at her desk. She's not writing to find Lila anymore; she's writing to understand herself. The friendship was always a mirror, and now the mirror's gone. Ferrante leaves us wondering if Lila planned this exit all along—was she giving Elena the ultimate gift by forcing her to stand alone? The ending doesn't tie bows; it leaves threads dangling, messy as real life.
View All Answers
Scan code to download App

Related Books

My Brilliant Future, Your Rotten Rest
My Brilliant Future, Your Rotten Rest
Three years into our marriage, Chris Davis doted on me deeply. But I accidentally discovered that he had been cheating on me for two years. In front of that woman, everything he said showed his disdain towards me. "Who would marry a cripple?" "She's like a dead fish in bed." "She's just a deaf person who makes me want to throw up now." Later, I took the initiative to file for divorce. But he went crazy. Kneeling in front of me, every word was filled with regret...
10 Chapters
My Best Friend
My Best Friend
''Sometimes I sit alone in my room, not because I'm lonely but because I want to. I quite like it but too bad sitting by myself always leads to terrifying, self-destructive thoughts. When I'm about to do something, he calls. He is like my own personal superhero and he doesn't even know it. Now my superhero never calls and there is no one to help me, maybe I should get a new hero. What do you think?'' ''Why don't you be your own hero?'' I didn't want to be my own hero I just wanted my best friend, too bad that's all he'll ever be to me- a friend. Trigger Warning so read at your own risk.
8.7
76 Chapters
My alien friend
My alien friend
It takes aliens long enough to arrive on earth. Victor made friends with one of them. Will he survive the whole alien inversion?
10
19 Chapters
My True Friend
My True Friend
Sometimes things happen that is unexpected. It works in our favor sometimes and it doesn't some other times. Here's a story of Two Teenage besties who loved and cared for each other . They were named the inseparable Duo. But they were Separated due to a Scheme. When A tragedy occurs, there you Know where you heart lies and who are really true to you. Will they get back together? Or will they remain separated? A short story by QUEENEBUNOLUWA15.
10
28 Chapters
My Dad's Friend
My Dad's Friend
I stared, I gulped, my heart skipped a beat, my stomach twisted and I can feel the butterflies, a linger and a cold chill ran and travelled through my vein, flowing through my blood like lava. The man before me was heavenly, I could barely look away. From the way his dark grey orbs stared back at me to the way his jet black hair fell spikingly on his shoulder, my whole body shuddered uncontrollably from the sensation growing in my system. My eyes trailed up to his sharp jawline, his straight pointed nose, his tick, long eyebrows and eyelashes to his sinful, tempting, luscious lips. Consciously, I ran a over my lips but the sound of my dad clearing his throat pulled me out from my trace as a slightly jerked, feeling electrified. "Tristan, I went you to meet my friend, Dr Sean" My dad introduced the sexy, demigod man with that sinful body of his. I quivered again. "Sean, meet my son Tristan" Dad introduced me but my eyes remained cemented on him and I could swore I saw a spark in those dark orbs but it was gone as soon as it came, making me doubt if I really saw it. I watched him run his over his reddish, luring lips while his ran down my body, making my inside burn with a sudden fire I had never felt before...and then, he spoke.... "Nice to meet you kitten" And from that moment no, I knew it was over for my heart. From that moment I knew I was in love with MY FATHER'S FRIEND!
9.6
78 Chapters
My Best friend, My Mate.
My Best friend, My Mate.
Mia and Ethan are best friends. When they start to feel the mate bond at a very young age their parents intervened confusing them. Right before their 18th birthday they meet again. But outside forces threaten to break their bond again. Will the two mates finally get their happily ever after or was their relationship just never meant to be.
10
14 Chapters

Related Questions

Why Is 'My Brilliant Friend' So Popular?

3 answers2025-06-26 02:54:52
The popularity of 'My Brilliant Friend' stems from its raw, unfiltered portrayal of female friendship. Elena Ferrante captures the messy, competitive, and deeply loyal bond between Lila and Lenù with brutal honesty. Their relationship isn't sugarcoated—it's full of jealousy, betrayal, and fierce protectiveness, mirroring real-life complexities. The setting of 1950s Naples adds layers of social tension, showing how poverty and violence shape their lives. Ferrante's writing is visceral; you feel the heat of the streets, the sting of class divides, and the desperation to escape. It resonates because it doesn't romanticize growing up—it shows the grit, the sacrifices, and the moments of unexpected tenderness that define us.

Who Is Lila In 'My Brilliant Friend'?

4 answers2025-06-26 15:08:05
Lila Cerullo in 'My Brilliant Friend' is a force of nature—raw, brilliant, and unpredictable. From childhood, she outshines everyone in their Naples neighborhood, including the narrator, Elena. Lila’s intelligence is terrifying; she teaches herself Latin and Greek before finishing elementary school, and her audacity leaves adults speechless. But her brilliance is a double-edged sword. Poverty and violence cage her potential, twisting her sharp mind into defiance and self-destruction. She marries young to escape her father’s abuse, only to trade one prison for another. What makes Lila unforgettable is her refusal to conform. She writes a novel as a teen, then burns it. She builds a shoe empire, then walks away. Her relationship with Elena is a dance of admiration and rivalry, love and resentment. Lila’s life is a rebellion against the world that tries to crush her—a tragic, fiery comet you can’t look away from.

Where Can I Watch 'My Brilliant Friend'?

3 answers2025-06-26 07:55:19
I’ve been obsessed with 'My Brilliant Friend' since it dropped, and finding it was a hunt. HBO Max is the main spot—it’s got all three seasons with crisp subtitles. If you’re outside the U.S., check Sky Atlantic in Italy or Now TV in the UK. Some regions get it on Canal+ or Foxtel. The show’s adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s novels is so faithful, it feels like stepping into 1950s Naples. Crave in Canada also streams it, but you might need a VPN if geo-blocked. For physical copies, Amazon sells the Blu-rays, which include behind-the-scenes docs on the production’s insane attention to detail.

What Age Is Elena In 'My Brilliant Friend'?

3 answers2025-06-26 23:51:33
Elena in 'My Brilliant Friend' starts as a young girl in post-war Naples, around 6 years old when we first meet her. The novel follows her coming-of-age journey through childhood and adolescence, capturing her struggles and triumphs in a poor neighborhood. By the end of the first book, she's roughly 16, navigating the complexities of friendship, education, and first love. Ferrante masterfully portrays how Elena's perspective evolves with her age - from wide-eyed childhood curiosity to teenage rebellion and intellectual awakening. The series continues to track her life into adulthood, but the first installment focuses most intensely on those formative years between 6-16.

How Does Book Review My Brilliant Friend End?

3 answers2025-05-02 19:04:23
In 'My Brilliant Friend', the ending leaves readers with a mix of emotions. Lila and Elena’s friendship, which has been the core of the story, takes a dramatic turn when Lila disappears without a trace. Elena, now a successful writer, is left grappling with the mystery of Lila’s vanishing. The novel closes with Elena deciding to write their story, turning their complex relationship into a narrative that will immortalize their bond. This ending is poignant because it underscores the themes of memory, identity, and the enduring impact of friendship. It’s a fitting conclusion to a tale that explores the intricacies of human connections and the ways in which they shape our lives.

Is 'My Brilliant Friend' Based On A True Story?

3 answers2025-06-26 11:43:01
I've read 'My Brilliant Friend' multiple times, and while it feels incredibly real, it's actually a work of fiction. Elena Ferrante, the mysterious author, crafts such vivid characters and settings that it's easy to mistake it for autobiography. The story follows Elena and Lila growing up in 1950s Naples, with details so precise they mirror real post-war Italy. Ferrante likely drew from personal experiences or observations, but the events and characters are fictionalized. The raw emotions, struggles, and friendships feel authentic because Ferrante understands human nature, not because it's a true story. If you want something similar but nonfiction, try 'The Glass Castle' by Jeannette Walls for that same gritty, memoir-style realism.

How Does Book Review My Brilliant Friend Explore Friendship?

3 answers2025-05-02 02:06:26
In 'My Brilliant Friend', the exploration of friendship is raw and unflinching. The bond between Elena and Lila is complex, marked by both deep affection and fierce competition. What struck me most was how their friendship evolves through different stages of life—childhood innocence, adolescent rivalry, and adult struggles. The book doesn’t romanticize their relationship; instead, it shows how their connection is shaped by societal pressures, personal ambitions, and unspoken jealousies. What makes it compelling is how their friendship becomes a mirror for their individual growth. Lila’s brilliance often overshadows Elena, but it’s this very dynamic that pushes Elena to strive harder. The novel captures the duality of friendship—how it can be both a source of strength and a battleground for insecurities. It’s a testament to how friendships can shape who we become, even when they’re messy and imperfect.

What Are The Critical Opinions On Book Review My Brilliant Friend?

3 answers2025-05-02 21:54:27
I’ve read a lot of reviews about 'My Brilliant Friend', and one thing that stands out is how people praise its raw portrayal of female friendship. The way Elena Ferrante captures the complexity of Lila and Elena’s bond is both beautiful and painful. Some readers find the pacing slow, but I think it’s intentional—it mirrors the slow burn of their evolving relationship. The setting of post-war Naples adds depth, making the story feel grounded in history. Critics often highlight Ferrante’s ability to write about class struggle and ambition without being preachy. It’s a book that stays with you, making you reflect on your own relationships and choices.
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status