Class Description
My Brilliant Friend, the first book in Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Quartet, is an incisive examination of female friendship and the formation of identity in post-World War II Naples. What does this book capture about coming of age and the relationship between friendship, power, and language that makes it resonate so deeply with readers? Recently chosen by both New York Times readers and critics as one of the ten best books of the 21st Century, the novel raises questions such as: How do friendships help to shape us and how is betrayal a part of growing up? How do we push against the life stories that have been chosen for us? How are the stakes different and higher for women and how do gender and class play a role in narrowing choices? In this course, we will do a close reading of My Brilliant Friend, and will also discuss the Italian TV series based on it, in order to investigate these questions and others.
The class will be a mix of lecture and discussion (less lecture, more discussion). Sometimes participants may be invited to do a short free-write in response to an image, quote, or question. This can help to encourage participation and give everyone a chance to gather their thoughts before sharing them.
Laura MacKay Hansen holds a PhD in English and American Literature from New York University. For the last two years, she has been a Lecturer in English at Northwestern University. She has also taught at New York University, Brooklyn College, and Beloit College.
Materials List
Required
- Elena Ferrante, My Brilliant Friend. Europa Editions, 2012. ISBN: 978-1-60945-078-6
- Dir. Saverio Costanzo, My Brilliant Friend (TV Series), 2018–2024. Available to stream on Max, Apple TV, and Hulu.
First Reading
- Please read “Prologue” and “Childhood,” pp. 19-85 of My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante, for the first session.
A Brief Syllabus
- “Prologue” and “Childhood”, pp. 19-85
- “Adolescence,” pp. 86-187
- “Adolescence,” pp. 187-243
- “Adolescence,” pp. 243-331
- Season 1, Episodes 1-3 of My Brilliant Friend directed by Saverio Costanzo
Cost and Registration
5 sessions, $220 ($198 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.
We offer our classes at three different price options: Regular ($220), Community Supported ($210), and Sponsor ($230). Following the models of other institutions, we want to ensure that our classes are accessible to a wider audience while continuing to support our instructors. You may choose the price that best fits your situation when registering through Learning Stream.
To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.
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