Reviews

I didn't get through this entire book which isn't common for me. I thought it was boring and drawn out with no climax. I expected more from Zadie Smith only because she is quite famous and well-thought of. Too bad. Won't be picking up another Zadie Smith book for some time. Nothing happens!

j_horsley5's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced

4.75

ellathelibrarian's review against another edition

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5.0

This is the Zadie Smith I know and love (wildly disappointed in Swing Time!). Sheer perfection.

mjhorn's review against another edition

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4.0

I'd rather give it four and a half stars. Smith had me really invested in the characters, I loved the university backdrop, and the prose was at times stunning. And I feel like it has actually taught me something of the beauty of marriage, and of the tragedy of betrayal. I don't know though, something just stopped me from love loving it. Maybe it just isn't the sort of book I give five stars. Sorry Zadie.

lovelyloro's review against another edition

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1.0

Read for British lit and loathed this novel.

emma3244's review against another edition

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reflective medium-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

2.0

despina19's review against another edition

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challenging reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I remain In awe of Zadie Smith. This reads like a modern classic. Her ability to tell a family story, a story about academia, social issues, identity politics, mixed race/class differences, coming of age, infidelities, women’s bodies/aging/relationships — with beautifully descriptive sentences and word choices that are uniquely precise, and also humor — is unmatched. There are so many layers to this story. She paints every character with such depth, even the smallest side characters. The “tomato” analogy of the professors and their classes is so acutely on point and also hilarious.

The language in this novel is dense. And we are watching these characters make cringey choices. And there isn’t much growth because it takes place over a short amount of time. And yet I loved this book. It wasn’t that I enjoyed watching these characters make these mistakes. But this wasn’t a book about redemption, but an ideas book that raised issues through these characters.

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