Elena Ferrante

Elena Ferrante is the pseudonym of an Italian author known for her acclaimed Neapolitan Novels. Little is known about Ferrante's personal life, as she chooses to maintain her anonymity. She was born in Naples in 1943 and began writing in the 1990s. Ferrante's major works include the four-part Neapolitan Novels: "My Brilliant Friend," "The Story of a New Name," "Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay," and "The Story of the Lost Child." These novels chronicle the lifelong friendship between two women in post-World War II Naples, Italy. Ferrante's writing is characterized by its lyrical prose, astute observations of female experience, and exploration of themes of identity, class, and belonging. Her work has been translated into more than 40 languages and has received widespread critical acclaim. Ferrante's Neapolitan Novels have sold millions worldwide and have been adapted into a popular television series. She has won numerous awards, including the 2016 International Booker Prize for "The Story of the Lost Child" and the 2017 Premio Strega for "The Lying Life of Adults."