The Beach at Night

by Elena Ferrante
The Beach at Night cover
Good Books rating 3.38
Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
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Waterstones
Hardback • £9.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 8219
  • Added: 2025-12-21
  • Updated: 2026-01-28
  • ISBN: 9781609453718
  • Publisher: Europa Editions UK
  • Published: 2016-11-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Left alone on the beach, Celina, a doll, must confront the Mean Beach Attendant, the Fire, and the Sea, all while grappling with the abandonment by her owner, Mati. As night turns to day, Celina's perspective shifts, offering a glimpse into her emotional journey. /n/n Illustrated by Mara Cerri, this short story is a moving and mysterious tale that will captivate both future and present readers of Ferrante's beloved novels. It explores themes of abandonment, resilience, and the power of perspective.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2026-01-24
intriguing 3.50

The book is strange but explores excellent themes that make you think about Ferrante's works as a whole. It's creepy and gritty.

This reviewer found 'The Beach at Night' to be a strange yet intriguing book. They appreciated the themes it explored, which added depth to their understanding of Ferrante's body of work. The story is creepy and gritty, making it a memorable read. Despite its oddities, it's a book that stays with you long after you've finished it.

Quick quotes

    The Beach at Night is a strange little book but hits some excellent themes that makes one think about Ferrante's works as a whole.

    Creepy, gritty, but thought-provoking.

    It's a book that stays with you.

James Patterson Kids · 2018-02-15
intriguing 4.00

Ferrante fans may find the book intriguing and beautifully written. The eerie scenes add to the book's unique charm.

James Patterson Kids suggests that 'The Beach at Night' will appeal to fans of Elena Ferrante, praising its intriguing and beautifully written narrative. The review highlights the eerie scenes, which add a unique charm to the book. While it acknowledges that Ferrante has not fully mastered the children's book form, it still recommends the book as a worthwhile read. The overall sentiment is positive, with a focus on the book's literary merits and its ability to captivate readers with its haunting imagery.

Quick quotes

    Ferrante fans may well find 'The Beach at Night' intriguing, and it is certainly beautifully written.

    Cerri's eerie scenes of the beach at night are both haunting and captivating.

    Though Ferrante has not mastered the form in the same way she has the novel, this is a worthwhile read.

Tony's Reading List · Tony · 2016-12-24
meh 2.00

The book was okay, but not a favorite. The personification of natural elements was not well-received. The story was found to be disturbing and not suitable for children.

Tony found 'The Beach at Night' to be an average read, not ranking it among their favorites. They were particularly critical of the way the book personified natural elements like waves and storms, finding it unnecessary and off-putting. The story's dark and disturbing nature was highlighted, making it clear that this book is not suitable for younger children. Tony's overall impression was that the book had its moments but ultimately fell short of expectations.

Quick quotes

    It was OK, not my favourite book ever.

    I didn't really like how she said everyone was a living thing, like the waves and the storm.

    Very scary illustrations and disturbing text enough to give younger children nightmares.

The Sydney Morning Herald · 2016-11-26
harrowing 4.00

The book is a children's book that's surprisingly horrifying. It deals with themes of abandonment and fear.

This reviewer was surprised by the darkness of 'The Beach at Night', especially considering it's a children's book. The story is horrifying in its simplicity, dealing with themes of abandonment and fear. The narrative is direct and unflinching, making it a powerful read. It's a book that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the pain of being left behind.

Quick quotes

    The Beach At Night is a children's book—or it's supposed to be a children's book. It's really horrifying.

    Anyone who has suffered the pain of being cast aside in favour of a new love object will relate to this book.

    The book is a dark tale with a powerful message.

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