Reviews

Della bellezza by Zadie Smith

anabelle_davis's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense 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

4.0

kmsourada's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

4.5

It is said that On Beauty is a purposeful homage to Howards End (now prioritized on my TBR).

What I really liked:
- Lots of layers.
- Loads of 'bumbling' around that often frustrated me, but at the same time, I was completely invested in each of them.
- Interior Life/Family Drama. As a reader, I felt an intimate relationship with the Belsey family, more than a 'neighbor', their shortcomings and all.
- Slow moving impending 'train wrecks'...often I was taken off guard.
- Pictorial & musical intertextuality (I would need a re-read to make stronger connections here). Color usage I think would be of note as well.

carie's review against another edition

fast-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

4.25

auntiedd's review against another edition

5.0

this is a perfect novel and zadie smith is my favorite human alive! IMO this is her best novel

lupercalia's review against another edition

funny reflective medium-paced

3.75

сподобалося, класний роман, але думала, що у фіналі буде більше страстєй) не знала, що ця книжка є пастишем? кавер-версією? короче, варіацією на тему Howards End Форстера, якого я не читала, візьмуся тепер за нього.

kristenesantos's review against another edition

funny reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

emma_reading_love's review against another edition

I enjoyed Part 1, but didn’t want to continue reading about academia.

whatkathrynreads_'s review against another edition

challenging funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

christiek's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed this! It's complicated, funny, insightful, tense. These characters all annoyed and infuriated me, but I was invested in their well being, so Smith is doing something right with these oftentimes unlikable characters. 

lucydroege's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75