- Duration
- 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Product Type
- Lecture
Lecture Details
Photos & Highlights
- Presented by the same world-class experts as our walking tours, Context Lectures highlight must-see attractions, reveal hidden landmarks, and explore the best things to do during your trip so you don’t miss a thing.
- Author Danielle Oteri will explore how Naples' neighborhoods and language influence the narrative of novels like "My Brilliant Friend," providing viewers with a deeper understanding of the protagonists and Naples itself as a character shaping their lives.
Lecture Description
Elena Ferrante (a pseudonymous Italian novelist) has taken the literary world by storm in recent years, exposing stories of the female experience in postwar Italy up until today. Her depictions of friendship, violence, love, poverty, and determination have resounded among millions of readers while the vivid settings of her Neapolitan novels have caused a wave of Ferrante pilgrims visiting this characterful city. Join an expert in this field on a virtual visit to Naples inspired by Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan Quartet "My Brilliant Friend."
Fair warning, there will be book spoilers!
Fair warning, there will be book spoilers!
Meet Your Expert
Danielle Oteri is an expert on art and architecture in Southern Italy. She was a Lecturer at the Met Cloisters and Program Director of the International Center of Medieval Art. Danielle has written about art, history, food, and travel for Conde Nast Traveler, Gothamist, NPR, The Paris Review, and Roads & Kingdoms. She founded Feast Travel, Arthur Avenue Food Tours, and Cilento Food Tours.
This lecture will use the novels to understand how the various neighborhoods–where the critical scenes are set–help to define the narrative. We'll visit the Rione Luzzati where the books are primarily set, as well as the Piazza Dei Martiri, the Retifilo, and the island of Ischia. We’ll learn more about the culture of Naples in the 1950s to better understand the characters and their positions in life. Knowing this Neapolitan history will give readers deeper insight into the protagonists and stories. We’ll also discuss how the Neapolitan language (described as dialect) and the Italian language each evolved and their social implications.
Danielle Oteri is herself the author of Ferrante Fever: A Naples Guidebook Inspired by Elena Ferrante and is a true expert on this subject, along with other aspects of Naples and Southern Italy. This interactive lecture will focus on details from My Brilliant Friend that would be unfamiliar to non-Italian readers. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of how Naples is its own character that shapes the expectations and outcomes for Lila and Lenù.
How do I access the lecture?
Once you complete your purchase, you will receive an email with a link to stream the lecture on the Context Travel website. You can also access your past purchases anytime under My Orders. Please ensure you are logged into your account to open the streaming page.
Is closed captioning (i.e. subtitles) available?
Yes! All of our lectures have the option to turn on closed captioning should you have difficulty hearing the expert.
How long does each event last?
Our recorded lectures typically run for 60 minutes.
How can I share this lecture with friends or family?
You are welcome to watch together with friends or family but each person viewing on their own device will need to purchase the lecture individually.
How long does my access to the lecture last?
Once you purchase a lecture, you are welcome to view it as many times as you like and your access does not expire.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
Sales for recorded lectures are final upon purchase. Please contact us at digital@contexttravel.com if you have any questions or concerns about your purchase.
Can I purchase a gift card for a friend who is traveling?
Absolutely! Gift cards can be purchased here. Gift cards are good for 365 days from the date of purchase.
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76 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Fascinating interplay between the books, history, and eh current city. Great recommendations for movies and books- I ordered them immediately! There are few resources about Southern Italy and this is one of the best I have found.
Bronwynne
Aug. 12, 2021
The presentation introduced some great context. I hadn’t seen the film before the lecture, only read the book. I would have liked to learn more as I know a little about the region and there are many more stories to be told.
Eileen
Jun. 19, 2021
Dr.Oteri—Danielle by the end—led us on a vivid tour of Naples that has convinced me (1) to reread the novels and (2) book tickets back to Naples. In a very comfortable lecture full of literary references and spot-on images and maps, my husband and I saw the books and the sights / sites of the city in a colorful and fascinating way. Danielle made the context come alive with personal references to her artistic, linguistic, and historic background. The closing conversations with her audience was so helpful and informed. Excellent experience!
Suzanne
Jun. 11, 2021
