The Lying Life of Adults

The Lying Life of Adults - Review

The Lying Life of Adults shows us, once more, that the teenage years and growing up can be painful.

Giovanna is the main character of this story, and she is feeling all the fast changes adolescence demands in a deeply divided town. Before this situation, her body and her opinions and desires are changing fast. Perhaps, too fast.

Parents aren’t perfect.

It is usually in those teenage years that we realize our parents aren’t perfect. They are humans with all the flaws that that implies. Giovanna is no different. Her parents are not as she thought they were, and her perfect family isn’t perfect at all.

Those adults, those references that she admires, hide things, lie, and do things that she considers wrong. They are like everybody else. They are not heroes. When we realize that our parents are not the superheroes we believed they were when we were very young children, it can hurt.

Why is it so important? Because when we realize they also can fail, with the destruction of that image, we also lose our sense of safety. The world has become more unpredictable.

Rebel

The sweet and caring Giovanna disappears as quickly as her perfect family. An inopportune glance, a troubling sight, rises a sea of changes, and there is no turning back. Now, Giovanna has her eyes open, and she wants to understand everything.

Yet, one story is, in reality, many stories according to the perspective of the person telling it. When Giovanna meets the side of the family with whom she was never allowed to have a relationship, she realizes that the stories she heard all her life have a different version. One that she is only now starting to learn.

She feels betrayed by those who should protect her and enter a path that could end in self-destruction. She feels more and more attracted by what’s forbidden - the wrong people and the wrong side of the city. Like any other teenage girl: if it is wrong for her parents, it is right for her.

Something caught my attention here: her parents’ attitude. They showed that they were not happy with the situation, but interesting enough, they don’t openly forbid her from doing anything. Of course, not many parents choose this option but being Giovanna a teenager, it would be the most intelligent choice.

You can’t put it down.

The Lying Life of Adults is one more excellent piece of literature. Elena Ferrante keeps being herself in this book: raw, straightforward, and engaging. It is nearly impossible to put down the book.

Comments

Raising Voices - Why Alma's Mom Had the Right Reaction

In Netflix’s Raising Voices , there's a raw, emotionally charged moment when Alma confesses to her mom that something happened the night she disappeared — she was drunk, she had sex, and something didn’t feel right. It’s the kind of moment that many parents dread. But Alma’s mom handled it in a way that deserves attention. She didn’t panic. She didn’t judge. She didn’t lose control. Instead, she met her daughter halfway, which made all the difference. What Happened in the Scene? When Alma opened up to her mom, she wasn’t just confessing — she was testing the waters for safety. Could she trust her mom with the truth? Would she still be loved after saying something shameful, scary, or confusing? Her mom’s response wasn’t perfect — but it was real. She was concerned, but didn’t explode. She asked questions. She listened. She let the moment breathe. Why That Reaction Matters Technically, what Alma described can be considered sexual assault , given her level of intoxication. Bu...

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story - review

While I found the pacing of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story slow and, at times, even boring, the show shines in one particular area: its psychological depth. What kept me engaged wasn’t the storytelling rhythm, but the way it explored two very distinct and haunting personalities under the same roof. Two Sides of the Same Violence The series captures the sharp contrast between Lyle and Erik brilliantly. On one side, we see the volatile, angry, and violent brother—unpredictable but outwardly dominant, always ready to explode. On the other side, there is the insecure, fragile “mouse” of the family—timid, hesitant, almost paralyzed by fear. Yet, what makes Erik compelling is that under the right conditions, even he can lash out violently, especially when pulled into the orbit of his more aggressive brother. The dynamic between them feels like a nightmare recipe: one commanding, the other submissive, but both carrying destructive potential. The Many Shape...

Zero Day (Netflix): When Power, Fear, and Truth Collide

What happens when society’s most terrifying vulnerability—our digital infrastructure—suddenly collapses? Netflix ’s political thriller Zero Day dares to explore exactly that. Starring Robert De Niro as former U.S. President George Mullen, alongside Angela Bassett , Lizzy Caplan , Jesse Plemons , and Dan Stevens , this six-part miniseries blends conspiracy, paranoia, and deeply human drama into a story that feels both timely and unsettling. A Premise That Feels Too Possible The series kicks off with a catastrophic cyberattack that leaves the nation in chaos. It’s not just thrilling entertainment—it’s frighteningly plausible. Watching events spiral out of control, you can’t help but ask yourself: could this actually happen? Twists That Keep You Guessing From backroom deals to sudden betrayals, Zero Day is packed with sharp turns. You might think you know where it’s going, but the finale delivers a conclusion that’s both surprising and thought-provoking. Jesse Plemo...

All Forms of Art

Search This Blog