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Where to Catch Ferrante Fever in New York City

By Emily Frost | October 28, 2016 5:24pm | Updated on October 31, 2016 8:32am
 The famous Italian author has two new books coming out on Nov. 1. 
Ferrante Fever
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UPPER WEST SIDE — "Ferrante Fever" is here, with city bookstores planning to make the most of fans' enthusiasm through release parties and talks this November.

The upcoming release of two new books by famed Italian author Elena Ferrante has re-ignited what's been dubbed #FerranteFever on social media, an excitement that's taken hold among her readers. (There's even a documentary with the same name in the works.) 

Ferrante's new books — "Frantumaglia," a self-portrait made from her letters, essays and interviews, as well as her children's book "The Beach at Night," told from the perspective of a doll that features prominently in her novels — will hit bookstands at the stroke of midnight on Halloween night. 

The craze was initially set off by Ferrante's Neopolitan series of four novels set in Italy and published between 2012 and 2015. The series chronicles the life of narrator Elena, her complicated relationship with her childhood best friend Lena and how they are both shaped by a changing society. 

The final installment in the series, "The Story of the Lost Child,” came out in September of last year. 

Ferrante's wish to remain anonymous and the debate over her identity has stoked the fire

At a pair of Book Culture outposts on the Upper West Side, Ferrante's books have been best sellers, said event manager Cody Madsen. 

In 2015, "The Story of the Lost Child," was the fourth best-selling book at the Columbus Avenue location and the third best-selling book at the West 112th Street store, he said. 

The release party for the two new books, which kicks off at 11 p.m. on Oct. 31, marks an opportunity for fans to celebrate with Prosecco and Italian snacks, said Madsen, who expects a crowd of 40 to 60 people.

"Everybody can share in the camaraderie around one of our bookstore’s best-selling and beloved book series," he said. 

The registers will open at midnight. 

"It’s great when a runaway bestseller is also great book, which isn’t always the case," Madsen said.

 Ferrante's new books,
Ferrante's new books, "Frantumaglia" and "The Beach at Night" are coming out on Nov.1.
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Europa Editions

But it's not just Big Apple fans that are getting into the spirit, as 64 bookstores across the country are holding release events, said Rachael Small, publicity director for the books' publisher, Europa Editions.

DNAinfo has rounded up the best NYC opportunities to catch Ferrante Fever:

Elena Ferrante Midnight Release Party
Book Culture: 450 Columbus Ave.
Oct. 31, 11 p.m.
This party will feature light refreshments and starts at 11 p.m., with registers opening for book sales at midnight. 

Ferrante Night Fever Live
McNally Jackson: 52 Prince St., SoHo
Nov. 1, 7 p.m.
A panel of writers — including Roxana Robinson, Dayna Tortorici and Ayana Mathis, as well as Ferrante translator Ann Goldstein and Europa Editions editor-in-chief Michael Reynolds —will discuss the new books.

Ferrante Night Fever!
Community Bookstore: 143 Seventh Ave., Park Slope
Nov. 3, 7 p.m.
Join a celebration at Community Bookstore with a discussion moderated by author Darcey Steinke that will feature actor John Turturro, critic Judith Thurman and professor Giancarlo Lombardi.

#FerranteNightFever
Astoria Bookshop: 31-29 31st St., Astoria
Nov. 4, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Enjoy a glass of wine, commune with other fans and listen in on a discussion with Ferrante translator Ann Goldstein, journalists Jennifer Maloney and Elissa Shappell, and author Siddhartha Deb.

#FerranteNightFever
Book Court: 163 Court St., Cobble Hill
Nov. 5, 7 p.m.
Europa Editions' editor-in-chief Michael Reynolds will moderate a discussion with writers Emily Stokes, Lisa Lucas, Ann Goldstein, Summer Brennan and Stacey d'Erasmo, with an audience Q&A session to follow.