Ferrante has produced an impressive body of work. Pick any of her novels (better still, binge-read them all). Usually, a simple premise sets off a complex investigation. In this case, an academic reckons with her flaws on a beach near Naples. The novel has a revelation partway through (involving a doll) that is small, delicious, and hugely problematic. The writing, sentence to sentence, is as toned, disciplined, and strapping as a racehorse.
