Why the unmasking of Elena Ferrante makes us all so uncomfortable

BySeema Goswami

Mar 10, 2017 08:17 AM IST

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Ferrante’s anonymity had a purpose: it allowed her the freedom to write about stuff that we struggle to acknowledge to ourselves, let alone say aloud to the world. And it was this liberty that allowed her voice to soar as high as it did; and to speak to the rest of us.

It was in the February of this year that I last wrote about Elena Ferrante. The English translations of her books were being launched in India, and it seemed as good an opportunity as any to write about one of my favourite authors.

Not some writer’s caprice: Ferrante’s anonymity allowed her the freedom to write in her books (above) the stuff we even struggle to acknowledge to ourselves.

Between the covers: (From left to right) Georgette Heyer, Philip Larkin and TS Eliot were authors and poets I greatly admired, until I delved into their personal narratives. (Photos: Shutterstock, Getty Images)

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Why the unmasking of Elena Ferrante makes us all so uncomfortable

Ferrante’s anonymity had a purpose: it allowed her the freedom to write about stuff that we struggle to acknowledge to ourselves, let alone say aloud to the world. And it was this liberty that allowed her voice to soar as high as it did; and to speak to the rest of us.

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