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withlivjones's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A really interesting study of the complex relationship between two childhood friends who grow up together in a housing estate in North-West London. The setting is so vivid and well-described through the many characters involved in the story. The story only really picks up from the third section, and the show-don’t-tell nature of the writing means a lot of brain power is required to really understand the plot, but there are some very interesting discussions about the intersection between race and class and about pressures put on women in the workplace and at home.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Abortion, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Homophobia, and Racism
serendipitysbooks's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-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
4.25
Zadie Smith is an author I’ve struggled with in the past. I don’t dislike her books but I have found them hard going. Finding that to be the case again with NW I resorted to my reliable strategy of listening to the audio and reading a print copy simultaneously. It definitely helped although I still struggled at times. Partly that’s because of the novel’s modernist, slightly experimental, sometimes stream of consciousness style. The book was composed of lots of fragments, vignettes as well as larger sections. They all worked well individually but I sometimes struggled putting them together as a cohesive whole.
I really enjoyed Smith’s writing style. It stood out from the norm and grabbed my attention with its energy and vitality. I think she created some really rich, nuanced character studies especially of friends Leah and Natalie/Keisha, but also of Nathan and to a lesser extent Felix. Willesden and Kilburn were so well depicted. As I read they sprang to life before my eyes, vibrant and full of life - both the good and the bad. The place was very much a character in its own right. I also appreciated the smart and perceptive things this book had to say about race, class and gender, about addiction, gentrification, social mobility, identity, globalisation and multiculturalism, friendship, and about women’s complicated relationship with motherhood among other things. I won’t pretend I gleaned all this novel had to offer. I may still struggle with Smith but I’ll continue to persevere since I’m convinced she’s worth the effort.
I really enjoyed Smith’s writing style. It stood out from the norm and grabbed my attention with its energy and vitality. I think she created some really rich, nuanced character studies especially of friends Leah and Natalie/Keisha, but also of Nathan and to a lesser extent Felix. Willesden and Kilburn were so well depicted. As I read they sprang to life before my eyes, vibrant and full of life - both the good and the bad. The place was very much a character in its own right. I also appreciated the smart and perceptive things this book had to say about race, class and gender, about addiction, gentrification, social mobility, identity, globalisation and multiculturalism, friendship, and about women’s complicated relationship with motherhood among other things. I won’t pretend I gleaned all this novel had to offer. I may still struggle with Smith but I’ll continue to persevere since I’m convinced she’s worth the effort.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Classism, Racism, and Sexual content
jojo_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Animal cruelty, Addiction, Classism, Drug use, Racism, Infidelity, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Misogyny, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Abortion, Animal death, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Blood, Pregnancy, Islamophobia, Rape, Antisemitism, Lesbophobia, and Murder
becksusername's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
5.0
I feel like I need to re-read this book immediately. why was Nathan Bogel a person of interest re: Felix's death? I don't understand the connection Keisha drew there. Did she just want to reinforce her own classist bs? Did I miss something? tf Unfortunately it's due back at the library so I might have to stew in it for a while
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Murder, Sexual assault, Addiction, Animal death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Classism
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