"The Story of the New Name" is the second season of the TV series "My Brilliant Friend," and it is also the second book of the "Neapolitan Novels."
I watched an episode of the series and then read the corresponding part of the book simultaneously. The series is mostly faithful to the original work, only omitting some content or adjusting some sequences. Reading the book afterward provides a better understanding of some scenes or psychological activities that were not portrayed in the series.
I watched the first season of the series and the first book a year ago, and my feeling at that time was that the poor cannot change their fate solely through intelligence. By the second season and the second book, I gained more insight and reflections on the characters' fates. For the disadvantaged, changing their destiny requires not only intelligence and education but also hard work, as well as various favorable circumstances and the ability to utilize any available resources. Only then is it possible to elevate their living standards, and sometimes it requires paying a price.
The differences in the fates of two childhood friends become increasingly apparent in their youth. Although Elena is not as intelligent as Lila and her character is not as strong, competitive, and decisive as Lila's—she even has some insecurities—she has a higher emotional intelligence, is good at maintaining good relationships with various people, and can leverage others' help. When opportunities arise, she can seize them decisively, even if it sometimes goes against her intentions. Lila, on the other hand, is more idealistic and willing to pay any price for her inner goals, refusing to compromise or retreat even in the face of setbacks. This personality might lead to great success in a privileged class, but in a disadvantaged class, it can easily lead to various obstacles and poor relationships with most people. Seeing Lila's struggles working in the Salami factory is quite regrettable; she deserves a better place to showcase her talents.
This book and the series not only describe the fates of two individuals but also serve as a microcosm of Italy's development and changes in the 1950s and 1960s. At that time, Italy had a significant wealth gap, a patriarchal society, and many violent incidents. As time progressed and women's education levels increased, they quickly became aware of their rights and began to pursue their own status, which also contributed to Italy's rapid development in the following years.