Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Elena Ferrante's 'The Story of the Lost Child'

Elena Ferrante is maybe the most famous unknown novelist in the world. She's the bestselling, acclaimed author of six books. She's been called the most important Italian writer of her generation. But nobody knows who she is. Elena Ferrante isn't her real name.

By Madeleine Brand • Sep 3, 2015 • 1 min read

Elena Ferrante is maybe the most famous unknown novelist in the world. She's the bestselling, acclaimed author of six books. She's been called the most important Italian writer of her generation. But nobody knows who she is. Elena Ferrante isn't her real name. She's never given a public, in-person interview, and there are no pictures of her online. Ferrante's latest novel, The Story of the Lost Child, came out this week. It's the fourth and final volume of her "Neapolitan novels," a series about best two best friends, Lena and Lila.

Madeleine Brand
Host, 'Press Play'
Matt Holzman
Producer, 'The Document'
Anna Scott
Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter
Jolie Myers
Managing Producer, 'Press Play'
Parul Sehgal
staff writer for The New Yorker; former book critic for the New York Times

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Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Elena Ferrante's 'The Story of the Lost Child'

Elena Ferrante is maybe the most famous unknown novelist in the world. She's the bestselling, acclaimed author of six books. She's been called the most important Italian writer of her generation. But nobody knows who she is. Elena Ferrante isn't her real name.

Share

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Elena Ferrante's 'The Story of the Lost Child'

Elena Ferrante is maybe the most famous unknown novelist in the world. She's the bestselling, acclaimed author of six books. She's been called the most important Italian writer of her generation. But nobody knows who she is. Elena Ferrante isn't her real name.

Share