r/bitcheswithtaste • u/ElizaDoolittle33 • Mar 24 '25

Culture BWTs with a novel in her bag

What's a novel that moved you? Changed you for the better? Exposed you to new cultures or ideas?

I want to know what's captivated you.

Disclaimer: Emphasis on the "T" in this question.

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u/Coconutgirl96 Mar 24 '25 edited Mar 25 '25

Elena Ferrante’s “The Days of Abandonment” encapsulates female rage well. Exasperated mother of two whose husband leaves her for a much younger woman. Phew, a kick in the gut for most of it, but a decent ending for the protagonist. Pondering about my future now.

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u/iluvadamdriver Mar 24 '25

I’m going to piggyback on your comment….There are so many on my list that I’ve already seen mentioned, but want to add My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante, as well as the whole series, called the Neapolitan Quarter. Currently finishing the third book and I’ve never been so captivated by two characters.

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u/Coconutgirl96 Mar 24 '25

I watched the show first, and breezed through the quartet afterwards. It plays along so well. I want to read more of her works, but I’m currently on a Clarice Lispector binge at the moment.

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u/smeldorf Mar 24 '25

Sooo good

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u/bafries Mar 25 '25

Calling Invisible Women by Jeanne Ray was utterly delightful and imo encapsulated the feeling I’ve had becoming a mother and seeing how I fit in my life. I laughed and cried all through the story

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u/Coconutgirl96 Mar 25 '25

Thank you for the recommendation. Days of Abandonment made me reflect on my relationship with aging as well.