Scan barcode
raymond_murphy's review against another edition
4.0
Zadie Smith gets more and more dynamic as she writes so many different kinds of books.
In this one we get: Africa, Madonna, North London, black mom, white dad, old Hollywood, dancing, Leftist/Liberal politics, race politics. A lot.
What I wonder--at the end--is whether I like the narrator or not.
In this one we get: Africa, Madonna, North London, black mom, white dad, old Hollywood, dancing, Leftist/Liberal politics, race politics. A lot.
What I wonder--at the end--is whether I like the narrator or not.
carolynu's review against another edition
3.0
Meh
I really wanted to like this book, but never got there. The interweaving of life in Africa, London, and elsewhere with a famous singer/ dancer and her assistant, as well as the assistant”s childhood was a bit disjointed.
I really wanted to like this book, but never got there. The interweaving of life in Africa, London, and elsewhere with a famous singer/ dancer and her assistant, as well as the assistant”s childhood was a bit disjointed.
amaka_efadk's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
babsaway14's review against another edition
2.0
While I am a fan of Zadie Smith, I was not a fan of this book. To paraphrase another review, this author would benefit from writing more, thinking less. The nameless main character was little more than a conduit for others frustrations (mostly with her, though for what? What did she care about? What did she crave? Was she passionate about anything?) to pass through.
Reading this book, I felt as though I was at a lecture and a very avant-garde and in-the-know artist had mistakenly allowed me to view her painting with the full understanding I wouldn't understand it, so why bother to explain.
Reading this book, I felt as though I was at a lecture and a very avant-garde and in-the-know artist had mistakenly allowed me to view her painting with the full understanding I wouldn't understand it, so why bother to explain.
helenaaliceee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
alex_mabel's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The writing was so good, but I just couldn’t get into the characters and the story.
duarte_l's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0