Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay by Elena Ferrante (2014)

Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, the third book of the Neapolitan Novels, follows the two friends Elena and Lila in their 20s and early 30s during the late 1960s and the early 1970s. As the story begins, Elena has graduated from university, has had a novel published, and is engaged to be married. Lila has left her husband for a short-lived affair, has borne a son, and is working in a factory. As the story ends, Elena has borne two little girls and has left her husband to be with her lover (who is the same man that Lila left her husband for). Lila has somewhat unbelievably become a computer wizard in the early days of the industry

This installment of the story has more overtly political content than the previous two, somewhat to the disadvantage of an American reader with little knowledge of Italian politics and social problems. Elena also becomes involved in the feminist movement as a writer and speaker, although in her private life she seems to define herself through her relationship to men.

I find myself being more and more annoyed with Elena, who narrates the books. In the first volume about her childhood and teenage years, her insecurities and jealousy of her friend seem normal for a girl of that age. However, as her age has progressed, she does not appear to have matured emotionally. She continues to judge herself a success only when she has surpassed her friend Lila. Because of this lack of growth, she does not seem as real a character any more, at least to me.

Only one more book to go to complete the Neapolitan Novels.