Scan barcode
suzecate's review against another edition
Will restart in the fall. Got distracted
vkce23's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Wonderful! Reflective, funny, atmospheric, poignant. Read it in 2 sittings it was so good. Deep yet humorous, I loved the examination of the minutiae of British life (the post office!) alongside the more surreal art, history and literature references seen through Daniel’s memory. Amazing writing - 5*.
amber_ray's review against another edition
5.0
I went into this book knowing nothing other than it was part of a seasonal quartet, and that it had been called the first “post-Brexit novel.” I wasn’t particularly excited to read it, but decided to give it a go since it was shortlisted for the #manbookerprize And ... wow, am I glad I did! I loved this book, like, I loved EVERYTHING about this book. Smith is just my type of writer, brilliant, clever, serious and yet so funny. And yeah, it’s a Brexit novel. But let’s be honest, it’s so much more than that.
The book centres (for the most part) on the most unlikely of friends, ageing Daniel Gluck and 34ish Elisabeth Demand. She wavers between disillusionment and helplessness along with the Brexit vote, but her various experiences are woven in with Gluck’s memories (the fantastic Pauline Boty, Christine Keeler and the Profumo Scandal) in such a way as to create a symphony of hope amidst lies and deceit.
It’s a tender and searingly smart account of our time, which is also the mirror image of our past - equally as tragic and lurid (no, we’ve not come that far). But yet even in a time of decay, we harvest beauty, we find love, we have hope.
“We have to hope, Daniel was saying, that the people who love us and know us a little bit will in the end have seen us truly.”
I’m not going to do this book justice here, but there are so many brilliant scenes, so many nods to a history I didn’t know about, so many things that I just don’t want to give away. You have to read it for yourself.
Now, I need to read Winter. And then Spring and then Summer. And then, I want to read them again. Brilliant.
The book centres (for the most part) on the most unlikely of friends, ageing Daniel Gluck and 34ish Elisabeth Demand. She wavers between disillusionment and helplessness along with the Brexit vote, but her various experiences are woven in with Gluck’s memories (the fantastic Pauline Boty, Christine Keeler and the Profumo Scandal) in such a way as to create a symphony of hope amidst lies and deceit.
It’s a tender and searingly smart account of our time, which is also the mirror image of our past - equally as tragic and lurid (no, we’ve not come that far). But yet even in a time of decay, we harvest beauty, we find love, we have hope.
“We have to hope, Daniel was saying, that the people who love us and know us a little bit will in the end have seen us truly.”
I’m not going to do this book justice here, but there are so many brilliant scenes, so many nods to a history I didn’t know about, so many things that I just don’t want to give away. You have to read it for yourself.
Now, I need to read Winter. And then Spring and then Summer. And then, I want to read them again. Brilliant.
marivincenzi's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
asc1006's review against another edition
1.0
I didn't like the writing style, almost like a narreted poem if that's even a thing. It seemed like it could be read at slam poetry events. But I can't not admire the talent of someone who is capable to write in such a way, it just isn't my thing.
majamija's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.5
im_ahlk's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
Autumn is the 3rd book that I've read by Ali Smith. Ali Smith novels are not your typical novels. The narrative is not linear and the prose is lyrical. She is not for everyone.
Autumn is the first book is Smith's Seasons quartet. This book is broken into 3 parts meant on the surface to represent September, October, and November. Each part features a chapter musing on the month in question. The rest of the story centers around 2 characters: Daniel Gluck, a 101 man who is in a care center and Elisabeth Demand, a woman in her early 30s who teaches classes at a college. The novel jumps back and forth in time to when Elisabeth was a child and befriended (much to her mother's chagrin) the old man (Daniel) next door. Daniel and Elisabeth would exchange strange stories and musings.
The novel is in part a look at the nature of time and also makes some statements about Brexit. I also enjoyed the deep friendship between Daniel and Elisabeth.
Autumn is the first book is Smith's Seasons quartet. This book is broken into 3 parts meant on the surface to represent September, October, and November. Each part features a chapter musing on the month in question. The rest of the story centers around 2 characters: Daniel Gluck, a 101 man who is in a care center and Elisabeth Demand, a woman in her early 30s who teaches classes at a college. The novel jumps back and forth in time to when Elisabeth was a child and befriended (much to her mother's chagrin) the old man (Daniel) next door. Daniel and Elisabeth would exchange strange stories and musings.
The novel is in part a look at the nature of time and also makes some statements about Brexit. I also enjoyed the deep friendship between Daniel and Elisabeth.