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.