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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I sat with this novel for a bit before writing this review because I wanted to see what kind of impression it made beyond the closing of the last page. I enjoyed the story telling — I think Smith did an excellent job of bringing these layered and multiple character storylines to life. The way she wove the plot across generations and time periods kept the narrative fresh. The characters were flawed and at times completely unlikeable, which I think made for a more realistic portrayal. I wish there had been more of a narrative focus on the female characters rather than the male characters, as I found Clara and Alsana’s stories to be the most interesting and it would have been nice to have their perspectives fleshed out more. I am definitely interested in reading more from Smith!
Literary chaos with too many characters that I had no connection to. I had to force myself to finish this one.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I forced myself to finish the book...but the last page and a half completely blew my MIND.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
wow smith can definitely build tension
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is part multi-generational romance, part social satire, part history, and part shaggy dog story, all delivered in a multitude of pitch-perfect voices. It was hard to get into it at first--in fact, it took me two tries, years apart--but once the ball started rolling it bowled me over.
This is a writing style I have never encountered before. It felt like I was just having a chat with someone really funny, really British and really really good at storytelling. Despite the heavy themes of identity, ethnicity and religion, the tone was always somehow jovial and got me giggling while reading. Although some of the things that happen are so bizarre they're almost ludicrous, the core concept of the novel is very real and really brings to light the sort of mindsets minorities in England have and the issues they face. I also just loved the setting being London, a place I know so well, but from the perspective of a completely different bubble of people than the one I am from. This book somehow managed to both be incredibly entertaining and also mind-opening, and I can't wait to read another book by Zadie Smith.
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes