Netflix has released a new Italian limited series The lying life of adultsthe latest adaptation of a novel by the Italian author Elena Ferrante (not her real name), and the coming-of-age series is a joy to watch. Adjustments can be tricky to achieve, especially with regard to stories where the character’s internal dialogue takes the lead in the story. A trademark of Ferrante’s stories is exactly that: the turmoil and rawness that bubble up in her characters and threaten to boil over. It has been translated through various adaptations of her work, including The prodigal daughter, my brilliant friend, and The Days of desolation.
The lying life of adults tells the story of young Giovanna (Giordana Marengo). Giovanna hears the worst thing she’s ever experienced (in her very short existence): her father says she’s becoming like her aunt, the troublesome Vittoria (Valeria Golino). In search of what that means and what really happened that made Vittoria so hated, Giovanna takes matters into her own hands and meets her aunt for the first time.
Here’s more about the mystery author and her other stories in need of adaptation, which share some common themes that are very specific to Ferrante and may give us a clue.
Who is Elena Ferrante?
There is a certain question that always comes up when we talk about this author: who is Elena Ferrante? The truth is that apart from her publishing house, and presumably her friends and family, no one knows. Elena Ferrante is a pseudonymous author who do not want “to be bound by what might become one’s public image. To concentrate exclusively and with complete freedom on the writing and its strategies.”
Ferrante also strongly believes that knowing nothing about the author of a piece gives the reader the space to fully immerse himself in the work, without worrying about the person who created it. All interviews made by the author, including Variety and The Guardian (for which she wrote columns), through written form and with her publishers as intermediaries.
In her collection of non-fiction essays fragmentation, she is getting closer to announcing a few things about herself, something she has also done in her columns. There is even a documentary about her called Ferrante fever, where authors, editors and publishers, critics and more discuss her works and how they construct her identity. Has anyone tried to find out who she is? Yes they have. But going against everything the author has strong opinions about is like stepping into a border that is clearly closed and should stay that way. In the age of social media and constant exposure to who we are, the power of anonymity runs deeper than most think.
Elena Ferrante’s adaptations
HBO
Elena Ferrante has written nine novels (including a children’s book) plus two collections of essays, many of which have been adapted for the small and big screen. Due to the mystery surrounding the author, the viewer may not even realize that all these films and series are inspired by her work. Most notorious is her series of four books, known as the “Neapolitan Novels,” which were adapted to HBO as My brilliant friend. As a testament to the author’s worldwide success, this series alone has sold more than 10 million copies in 40 countries.
Another great example of an adaptation of one of Ferrante’s novels was Maggie Gyllenhaal’s feature film debut with the prodigal daughter, with an incredible performance from Olivia Colman. The film received three Academy Award nominations, including Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Leading Actress, and Best Supporting Actress. Unfortunately, it didn’t win any category – but it still received high praise from critics and audiences alike.
There are other adaptations of Ferrante’s earlier work, including The Days of desolation, a difficult story of a mother whose husband leaves her without much explanation. Unfortunately, the film did not receive much praise. It was talked about another reboot with Natalie Portman by HBO, but the project fell through because Portman stepped down. Annoying loveanother introspective novel by the Italian author and the first she ever published, was adapted to the big screen in 1995 and was nominated for the Palme d’Or at Cannes.
The lying life of adults
The latest adaptation of the mysterious author was Netflix. The lying life of adults is another heartwarming story with a complex protagonist. In this story, the audience is transported to Naples in the 1990s. The protagonist, Giovanna, begins to understand the minds of the adults around her for the first time. It is a phase in her life where everything is changing, including some ideas that were previously set in stone. When insecurities about how she looks and how she is perceived by others become huge concerns, Giovanna becomes a recognizable character leading a sincere but fun story.
There are some common elements that became trademarks of Ferrante’s work. For example, the raw and unashamed way she describes the loneliness of women, which could be too much for many viewers. Few authors have been able to express female anger as well as Ferrante.
Stories about motherhood and the impossible expectations that society places on mothers is another subject that the author likes to delve deeply into. While we only have themes for her identity, one thing’s for sure: her stories and characters are so captivating and real (on the page and on screen) that it’s impossible to look away.