Troubling Love Summary
Elena Ferrante

Troubling Love Overview

Elena Ferrante’s debut novel Troubling Love follows Delia’s return to Naples after her mother’s death. Ferrante details Delia’s experiences in her hometown, as she confronts old friends, family, her mother’s lover, and the memories of her traumatic childhood with her abusive father. After decades of avoiding haunting memories, Delia faces her past on this journey of self-discovery and closure. In Troubling Love, Ferrante explores the themes of identity, power, aging, intimacy, and loss of innocence.