The Lost Daughter

by Elena Ferrante
The Lost Daughter cover
Good Books rating 3.5
Literary Fiction
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Paperback • £9.99–£10.99
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Technical
  • ID: 8220
  • Added: 2025-12-21
  • Updated: 2025-12-31
  • ISBN: 9781609451035
  • Publisher: Europa Editions UK
  • Published: 2012-09-10
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

Leda, a devoted English teacher and mother, finds herself unexpectedly liberated when her daughters leave home. Seeking solace by the sea in southern Italy, her peaceful retreat is disrupted by an unsettling family and memories of her past decisions. The novel delves into the complex emotions tied to motherhood and the repercussions of Leda's choices./n/nElena Ferrante's 'The Lost Daughter' is a candid exploration of womanhood and motherhood, following the success of 'The Days of Abandonment'. The story transitions from a serene self-discovery to a fierce confrontation with Leda's unsettled past, offering a compelling meditation on the ties that bind us to our children.

Reviews
Big Fiction Magazine · 2025-12-21
admiring 4.50

The book is admired for its ability to delve into the inner workings of its form and extend these strategies into a compelling narrative. The exploration of womanhood and motherhood is both perceptive and compelling.

Big Fiction Magazine highlights 'The Lost Daughter' for its capacity to delve deeply into the inner workings of its form, creating a rich and compelling narrative. The review praises the book's exploration of womanhood and motherhood, noting its perceptive and compelling nature. The reviewer finds the book to be a masterful work that offers a unique perspective on the complexities of these relationships.

Quick quotes

    What I admire about Elena Ferrante's The Lost Daughter is its capacity to delve heavily from the inner workings of the form.

    The book is a compelling and perceptive meditation on womanhood and motherhood.

    The exploration of conflicting emotions that tie us to our children is both deep and insightful.

Tony's Reading List · Tony · 2016-12-22
thoughtful 4.00

The book delves into the complex relationship between mothers and daughters, highlighting how a loving bond can sometimes feel suffocating. The narrative is introspective and thought-provoking, offering a deep exploration of womanhood and motherhood.

Tony's review of 'The Lost Daughter' focuses on the intricate dynamics between mothers and daughters, emphasizing how a bond that starts as beautiful can become overwhelming. They appreciate the introspective nature of the book, which provides a profound look into the emotions and conflicts tied to motherhood. The narrative's depth and honesty are particularly praised, making it a compelling read for those interested in the complexities of family relationships.

Quick quotes

    It's an examination of the relationship between mothers and daughters and the way a beautiful bond can feel as if it has turned into something suffocating.

    The narrative is introspective and thought-provoking.

    The book offers a deep exploration of womanhood and motherhood.

Samanne's Blog · Samanne · 2016-12-13
mixed 2.00

The character of Nina is particularly liked, despite some flaws, and is found to be believable. The book is seen as a mixed experience, with some aspects not resonating as well as others.

Samanne's review of 'The Lost Daughter' focuses on the character of Nina, who is particularly liked despite some flaws. They find Nina to be believable and relatable, which adds depth to the narrative. However, the review also notes that the book is a mixed experience, with some aspects not resonating as well as others. The overall impression is that while the book has its strengths, it may not be a perfect fit for everyone.

Quick quotes

    Nina was my favorite character.

    Except that she was cheating, I didn't like that.

    I thought she was believable, a woman who was pretty from far away.

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