This week I am joined by una donna straordinaria: Natalie "botanical gardens" Nielsen-Ruiz. We talk about everyone's favorite Italian author Elena Ferrante, focusing on The Neopolitan Novels and The Days of Abandonment. We look at some interviews she has given, name every hot person we can think of, and tell you the truth about Italy. Natalie really is.... my brilliant friend.  

Content warning: there is some discussion of sexual assault, its portrayal in The Neopolitan novels and in wider media. 

Paris Review Interview: https://www.theparisreview.org/interviews/6370/art-of-fiction-no-228-elena-ferrante

 LA Times Interview: https://www.latimes.com/books/la-ca-jc-elena-ferrante-interview-20180517-htmlstory.html