75 Down

NYT Daily • August 24, 2025

Novelist Ferrante

Answer:

ELENA

Hint:

The mysterious Italian author behind My Brilliant Friend shares this first name.

Explanation:

The clue "Novelist Ferrante" refers to Elena Ferrante, the pseudonymous Italian author famous for works like My Brilliant Friend. Since crossword answers are usually first names when only a last name is given, "ELENA" fits perfectly. The clue assumes familiarity with her as a major literary figure, so no wordplay is involved—just a direct reference.

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