"Days of Abandonment," by Elena Ferrante. If you were to read only one Ferrante book, I would pick this one. It is one of the highest literary accomplishments on many levels — and the translator gets much credit as well. For a section of gasp-inducing pages it is one of the most tense books I have ever read. It is also one of the best books I've ever read. — Martha Meyer-VonBlon, Birchbark Books.

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