The books are more than a great read; they are an experience! The first book, My Brilliant Friend, is set in 1950s Naples, Italy, which is why the books are called The Neapolitan Novels. I recommend a character list to follow the intriguing storyline of the series, which has been turned into an HBO series. Debbie and I are currently listening to book 3 of the four-book series. In each book the characters grow older in a span of six decades, they have families, careers and face challenges. The women live in a patriarchal society where domestic violence is a male prerogative to maintain control of the wife and sometimes the children.
