Her father owns a shoe repair shop but she wants to make shoes for people. Lila, meanwhile, observes the changes in her family and hatches a plan to help them out. The two sons of the Solara family are very attractive but arrogant as well.

The neighborhood is also revitalizing due to local businesses’ success, including the Solara family’s pastry shop that expands into a bar. Meanwhile, Elena struggles with the experience of puberty and eventually middle school itself. Lila becomes more reserved and begins to cultivate friendships with other girls, including Carmela. Elena’s parents agree to pay for private lessons to help her pass the exam that will allow her to go into middle school, but Lila’s parents don’t let her take it.Įlena’s middle school years mark a transition in her friendship with Lila. The two witness several events together such as Donato Sarratore having an affair with Melina Cappuccio after his wife died or Don Achille Carracci’s murder.Įlena and Lila are both smart. Lila is precociously intelligent, bold, and courageous she attracts attention from others because of these traits, including Elena’s mild-mannered personality who becomes close friends with her despite being pushed outside of her comfort zone by Lila’s more assertive nature. They live near each other in a rough neighborhood where violent feuds are common, and families often share stories and secrets with one another. Elena and Lila meet each other at school when they’re young girls. This strange turn of events prompts Elena to begin writing the story of their friendship, which begins in Naples in the 1950s. The novel starts with Elena Greco learning that her friend Lila Cerullo has gone missing. 1-Page Summary of My Brilliant Friend Overview

My brilliant friend elena