This has been on my list for ages but I kept hoping I'd become fluent in Italian so I could read it in it's original language. Alas that hasn't happened but I did read it in Italy so that counts for something I guess...maybe one day I'll read it in Italian.

You know me I love some drama and I love the mystique surrounding this author. Who is she? Is it an autobiography? Will she ever be revealed (posthumosly maybe)? Should she be? I love the theories of who it could be and the drama of that reporter who tried to expose her. 

The story follows Elena and her friend Lila growing up in Napoli to adulthood as wives and mothers. Through their lives, we discover the story of the neighborhood and the different families and their troubles. Lila isn't wealthy and doesn't have the money for school, Elena has only slightly more and is encouraged by teachers while Lila is discouraged and berated for her smarts. The only reason Elena progresses is because she idolizes and follows in Lila's footsteps as far as she can. But the two women grow apart with age and life's disparities. A beautiful story about female friendships and growing up with dreams too big.