Forbidden Notebook
Forbidden Notebook
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023
Book Brief
Beta288
Novel • Fiction
Rome, Italy • 1950s
2023
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Forbidden Notebook explores the life of Valeria, a woman who secretly records her innermost thoughts in a notebook. As she grapples with familial and societal expectations in post-war Italy, the act of writing becomes both a refuge and a source of tension. Through personal reflections, Valeria navigates identity, freedom, and the constraints of her world.
Contemplative
Melancholic
Mysterious
Emotional
Unnerving
Reviews & Readership
11,983 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Forbidden Notebook by Alba de Céspedes is praised for its compelling exploration of a woman's inner life and societal constraints. The prose is lauded for its emotional depth, revealing the complexities of identity and rebellion. Some critics feel that the pacing occasionally lags, but the novel's introspective nature and cultural insights offer a rich reading experience.
Who Should Read Forbidden Notebook?
A reader who enjoys exploring themes of identity, personal freedom, and societal constraints will appreciate Forbidden Notebook by Alba de Céspedes. Fans of Elena Ferrante's My Brilliant Friend and Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own will find its introspective narrative and feminist undertones compelling.
11,983 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
288
Novel • Fiction
Rome, Italy • 1950s
2023
Adult
18+ years
We’re just getting started
Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!