My Brilliant Friend - Elena Ferrante

She read.

I've read about the Neapolitan novels for a few years now, but wasn't sure I would like them, so put off reading them.  I'm glad I finally decided to see what they were all about. This is the first of 4 tracing the intricate relationships between two friends since childhood and the culture of their neighborhood in Naples.  It starts in present time, but quickly reverts to the beginning of the story in the 50s.  I couldn't wait to finish it and start the next one.  Ferrante's observations of the culture, the world, and the character of males and females is insightful.