The Neapolitan Novels Books in Order

The short answer

Elena Ferrante · 4 books

How many books?
There are 4 books in The Neapolitan Novels, published 2012–2015.
Is it finished?
Yes — the series is complete; it ends with The Story of the Lost Child (2015).
Where to start
Start with My Brilliant Friend (2012).

by Elena Ferrante · 4 books · ★ 4.3 average rating · Updated

ContemporaryClassic

A fierce sixty-year friendship between two women from a poor Naples neighbourhood.

Here is the complete The Neapolitan Novels reading order — all 4 books by Elena Ferrante, in the order you should read them:

Reading order

  1. My Brilliant FriendBook 1 of The Neapolitan Novels.2012256 pages
  2. The Story of a New NameBook 2 of The Neapolitan Novels.2013
  3. Those Who Leave and Those Who StayBook 3 of The Neapolitan Novels.2014
  4. The Story of the Lost ChildBook 4 of The Neapolitan Novels.2015

Good news: for this series, reading order and publication order are the same — just read straight down the list.

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Frequently asked questions

How many Neapolitan Novels books are there?

There are 4 books in The Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante, from My Brilliant Friend (2012) to The Story of the Lost Child (2015).

Is The Neapolitan Novels finished?

Yes. Elena Ferrante completed the series with The Story of the Lost Child in 2015; all 4 books are out now.

What is the first Neapolitan Novels book?

My Brilliant Friend (2012) is book one, at 256 pages. Book 1 of The Neapolitan Novels.

Should I read The Neapolitan Novels in publication order?

Yes. For The Neapolitan Novels, reading order and publication order are the same — My Brilliant Friend (2012) through The Story of the Lost Child (2015).

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