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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
i need a minute to get my thoughts in order, but i will say this: masterpiece.
EDIT:
Although I read this back in February, I am only now able to fully express my thoughts for this book. This is one of those books that just settles into you. By the time you get 10% through, you are hooked. The way Zadie wrote this was absolutely beautiful. She got into my skin, got into the nooks and crannies, the underlying tissues, my heart. She wrote with such a precision and intense feeling, that when I would put my book away, I found myself releasing a breath I didn’t realize I was holding the entire time. I felt transfixed and arrested. I laughed, I cried, I screamed, I threw my book across the room. I felt every single emotion in this book—not just because of the plot or even the characters themselves, but also because of Smith’s beautiful writing. It made me appreciate literature in every way. I am grateful that I got to read this book at this time.
On the onset, the book comes across as a plot-driven book. You’re constantly jumping around from character-to-character. There’s a lot of dialogue. But, despite those two pieces of evidence, this book is character-driven. Through these characters’ words to one another and their actions, their inward desires and goals are being revealed. Each character has their own insecurity. What’s interesting to me is how their insecurities not only reflect in their dialogues, but how they affect those around them. Howard is insecure about his work as a professor and his general unhappiness with life, and that has an affect on Kiki. Kiki feels uncomfortable with her weight gain, but she doesn’t let that take away her dignity. Their three children struggle with their racial identity and their place in the family. None of them want to be in their family, and seek ways to differentiate themselves. For Jerome, this means literally going across the Atlantic Ocean to integrate himself in another family. For Zora, this means burying herself in academics. For Michael, this means wearing different clothes and integrating himself in a completely different culture.
I love how Zadie touches on race, class, motherhood, fatherhood, children, academia, elitism, etc without being condescending or redundant. She is merely painting the full picture and it is our task as the reader to just watch everything unfold and come to our OWN conclusion.
The writing is fantastic, but it’s the characters and their hang-ups that I love. All the characters were alive. Even now, it’s hard for me to come to terms with the fact that none of them are real. But they feel real. I know people like them. I’ve seen families interact like they do.
Essentially, this book is about life and all its glory and messiness. It’s about family and culture and class and beauty, and how all these things work together to produce a unique experience. What a special gem.
EDIT:
Although I read this back in February, I am only now able to fully express my thoughts for this book. This is one of those books that just settles into you. By the time you get 10% through, you are hooked. The way Zadie wrote this was absolutely beautiful. She got into my skin, got into the nooks and crannies, the underlying tissues, my heart. She wrote with such a precision and intense feeling, that when I would put my book away, I found myself releasing a breath I didn’t realize I was holding the entire time. I felt transfixed and arrested. I laughed, I cried, I screamed, I threw my book across the room. I felt every single emotion in this book—not just because of the plot or even the characters themselves, but also because of Smith’s beautiful writing. It made me appreciate literature in every way. I am grateful that I got to read this book at this time.
On the onset, the book comes across as a plot-driven book. You’re constantly jumping around from character-to-character. There’s a lot of dialogue. But, despite those two pieces of evidence, this book is character-driven. Through these characters’ words to one another and their actions, their inward desires and goals are being revealed. Each character has their own insecurity. What’s interesting to me is how their insecurities not only reflect in their dialogues, but how they affect those around them. Howard is insecure about his work as a professor and his general unhappiness with life, and that has an affect on Kiki. Kiki feels uncomfortable with her weight gain, but she doesn’t let that take away her dignity. Their three children struggle with their racial identity and their place in the family. None of them want to be in their family, and seek ways to differentiate themselves. For Jerome, this means literally going across the Atlantic Ocean to integrate himself in another family. For Zora, this means burying herself in academics. For Michael, this means wearing different clothes and integrating himself in a completely different culture.
I love how Zadie touches on race, class, motherhood, fatherhood, children, academia, elitism, etc without being condescending or redundant. She is merely painting the full picture and it is our task as the reader to just watch everything unfold and come to our OWN conclusion.
The writing is fantastic, but it’s the characters and their hang-ups that I love. All the characters were alive. Even now, it’s hard for me to come to terms with the fact that none of them are real. But they feel real. I know people like them. I’ve seen families interact like they do.
Essentially, this book is about life and all its glory and messiness. It’s about family and culture and class and beauty, and how all these things work together to produce a unique experience. What a special gem.
challenging
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
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
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
#BKR08
My 1st Zadie Smith book
Sad to say I couldn't finish it.
I doubt I will ever read another book by her.
My 1st Zadie Smith book
Sad to say I couldn't finish it.
I doubt I will ever read another book by her.
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I spent a great many months on this book. Topically, the reading process felt like what I imagine it must feel like to make a marriage work—a lot of love and patience over a long period of time. Glad to say it did not end in divorce, but rather in bittersweet feelings! I refused to skim this book, even in my months of reading slump (the first in years). And how happy I am for every bit of attention I put into this book! It may be the best written book I have ever read, and it only took me a few pages to realise. The family dynamics are interesting, almost soap opera-like but with immense depth, the central social issues steer away from black-and-white territory, and the language are breathtakingly beautiful. I loved this. Published twenty years ago but just as easily read today. As someone who experienced academia and felt wholly out of place there, I felt surprisingly seen in this book in its way of satirising the whole environment. Honestly, this book deserves a whole chapter of reviewing but I'm not about that. All I can really say is I loved this and it was worth forcing my way through many months of lack of motivation to finally finish this. The final third of the book I read in almost one sitting, and it hooked me to the bone. Need to pick up more Zadie Smith ASAP.
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes