49 pages • 1 hour read •
The Lost Daughter
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Book Brief
140
Novel • Fiction
•
Italian LiteratureSouthern Italy • Contemporary
•
Family•
Femininity•
Gender & Feminism2006
Europa Editions
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante, 47-year-old English literature professor Leda takes a working holiday and becomes captivated by Nina, a young mother on the beach with her daughter Elena, which brings back memories of Leda’s own challenging motherhood. The novel explores themes of maternal ambivalence, identity, and class, culminating in Leda's struggle to face her past decisions. Includes abandonment trauma.
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Emotional
Melancholic
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
56,507 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Elena Ferrante's The Lost Daughter has been lauded for its intense exploration of motherhood and self-identity. Critics praise Ferrante's raw, evocative writing style and deep psychological insight. However, some find the protagonist's actions unsettling and the pacing uneven. Overall, it is considered a compelling, thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read The Lost Daughter?
Readers who relish introspective, psychological narratives and complex female protagonists will appreciate Elena Ferrante's The Lost Daughter. Fans of My Brilliant Friend and The Hours will find the exploration of motherhood, identity, and solitude equally compelling. This book suits those drawn to character-driven stories with profound emotional depth.
56,507 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Nina
Nina
A young mother of two-year-old Elena who initially appears perfect in her role, but her struggles mirror the complexities of motherhood.
Rosaria
Rosaria
Nina’s sister-in-law, noticeably pregnant for the first time at 42, embodies traditional views of motherhood and has a confident approach toward her pregnancy.
Gino
Gino
A young law student and the bathhouse attendant, whose interactions with Leda serve as reminders of her daughters' youth and her past experiences.
Giovanni
Giovanni
The elderly caretaker of Leda’s apartment, whose company she enjoys because he perceives her as the sophisticated woman she wishes to be seen as.
Bianca and Marta
Bianca and Marta
Leda's grown daughters, now residing in Toronto, whose successful lives frequently occupy Leda's thoughts as she reflects on their relationship and her role as their mother.
The Lost Daughter was first published in Italy in 2006 and is one of Elena Ferrante's lesser-known novellas, gaining more international attention following the success of her Neapolitan Novels series.
Elena Ferrante is a pseudonymous author whose true identity remains officially undisclosed, although speculative investigations have attempted to reveal it, generating significant media intrigue.
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The book was adapted into a film in 2021, directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, marking her debut as a director, and it premiered at the Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Golden Osella for Best Screenplay.
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140
Novel • Fiction
•
Italian LiteratureSouthern Italy • Contemporary
•
Family•
Femininity•
Gender & Feminism2006
Europa Editions
Adult
18+ years
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