The Lying Life of Adults

Giovanna’s pretty face has changed. Into which mirror must she look to find herself and save herself? She is searching in two kindred cities; the Naples of the heights, which assumes a mask of refinement, and the Naples of the depths, a place of excess and vulgarity - whether high or low, the city seems to offer no answer and no escape.

"AN INCENDIARY PORTRAIT OF THE VOLCANIC CURRENTS OF SEX AND BETRAYAL."-Mail on SundayTHE INTERNATIONAL No. 1 BESTSELLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF MY BRILLIANT FRIENDA BBC2 Between The Covers Book Club PickBRITISH BOOK AWARDS 2021 - SHORTLISTED FOR FICTION BOOK OF THE YEARSoon to be a NETFLIX original series18M OF ELENA FERRANTE'S BOOKS SLOD WORLDWIDEGiovanna's pretty face has changed: it's turning into the face of an ugly, spiteful adolescent. But is she seeing things as they really are? Where must she look to find her true reflection and a life she can claim as her own?Giovanna's search leads her to two kindred cities that fear and detest one another: the Naples of the heights, which assumes a mask of refinement, and the Naples of the depths, a place of excess and vulgarity. Adrift, she vacillates between these two cities, falling into one then climbing back to the other.Set in a divided Naples, The Lying Life of Adults is a singular portrayal of the transition from childhood to adolescence to adulthood.A SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER"This is no amiable coming-of-age tale... the most intense writing about the experiences and interior life of a girl on the cusp of adulthood that I have ever read. It is brilliant."-The Financial Times"An astonishing, deeply moving tale."-The Guardian"Ferrante confronts female sexual awakening with such an absence of romantic enchantment it leaves you gasping."-The Daily MailWHAT READERS ARE SAYING:"Brilliant as always."-Jan on Amazon"A tightly crafted and gripping story."-Maxwell on Goodreads"Excellent book. My only complaint was that it ended too soon!"-Mhairi on Amazon"I woke up eagerly looking forward to reading more of this novel every single day."-Violet on Goodreads"Fans of Elena Ferrante will not be disappointed."-Lesley on Amazon