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B is for Bar Solara

The Cammorist gangster den where ‘the men’ in Ferrante’s unnamed ‘neighbourhood’ go to drink and gamble overseen by Silvio and his thuggish sons Marcello and Michele.

(My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante)

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L is Liqueurs (unspecified)

These are the liqueurs unnamed for Rosa’s wedding day. Likely Limoncello.

(My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante)

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P is for Prosecco

Although it’s only ever referred to as ‘sparkling wine’ so could very well be Spumanti. Alfonso, the son of Don Achille, promises Spumante and fireworks on the terrace for New Year’s Eve. Anyway, this is the drink Elena and Lila and their dates toast New Year’s Eve 1958 with when Lila first experiences ‘dissolving margins’ – an existential crisis or just too many bubbles? We’ve all been there…

(My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante)

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T is for Three Bottles of Good Wine

Which Marcello brings to dinner at Lila’s house as part of his sinister and relentless wooing. Lila’s Mother fusses over them far more than she does her wilful, wild daughter.

(My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante)

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V is for Vermouth

With which Elena toasts her impromptu birthday party the summer she escapes the neighbourhood to go to the isle of Ischia. She feels unable to write back to Lila because Lila can out-write as well as out-everything else her. This would likely be Martini Rosso or even the unfairly derided Cinzano.

(My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante)

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