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emselilly's review
3.0
Like... it's well written, and pretty interesting and a good book, but can only give it 3 stars because it wasn't exactly a page turner, feel like I will forget this book in years to come. Still, glad I read it.
stephibabes's review
3.0
I think I willed myself to like this more than I actually did. I think maybe that is more me than author. I loved the complex interplay of relationships and changing circumstances. The coming of age of the children into their young adulthood and its consequences was incredibly well woven. I think I found the novel overall long (but could be attributed to the gap in listening due to audiobook issues - see below).
But I am interested to read more Zadie Smith in the future. She is clearly a very skilled contemporary story teller and weaves fantastic worlds that explore the difficult and messy interconnected class, race, gender dynamics across generations.
So I started listening to this on Spotify as they newly announced being able to listen to audiobooks as part of premium which I already have. I was 80% through when Spotify then said I had run out of listening time for the month. It was not clear that there was a limited number of hours per month, so part way through I just stopped being able to access the audiobook. I could "top-up" and purchase more hours but it would cost £10. Nah mate. Do one. So I went back to my trusty Libby app and borrowed the audiobook from the library. Which I will continue to do as my experience of both Audible and Spotify have been rubbish and I cannot fault Libby. Libby brings me endless joy.
But I am interested to read more Zadie Smith in the future. She is clearly a very skilled contemporary story teller and weaves fantastic worlds that explore the difficult and messy interconnected class, race, gender dynamics across generations.
So I started listening to this on Spotify as they newly announced being able to listen to audiobooks as part of premium which I already have. I was 80% through when Spotify then said I had run out of listening time for the month. It was not clear that there was a limited number of hours per month, so part way through I just stopped being able to access the audiobook. I could "top-up" and purchase more hours but it would cost £10. Nah mate. Do one. So I went back to my trusty Libby app and borrowed the audiobook from the library. Which I will continue to do as my experience of both Audible and Spotify have been rubbish and I cannot fault Libby. Libby brings me endless joy.
sethsparksss's review
3.0
3.5/5 I had to read this for one of my classes and I enjoyed it so much more than I thought I would! I loved Zadie Smith's writing, humor, and excellent, sharp dialogue. It's full of poignant moments and symbolism of history, past, and family. I loved the various perspectives and diversity represented in this book as well from cultures, religions, and sexuality.
The characters, relationships, and family dynamics were so fleshed out and felt real. This is one of the novels strengths, but also to its own detriment at times. This book switches focus from character to character therefore meaning some characters almost disappear and are rarely seen afterawhile despite all the time spent with them earlier. Sometimes at the cost of a character I didn't really care for. Still I appreciated all these characters complexities and faults. Irie Jones was my absolutely favorite and wish we got to spend more time with her.
The book did feel drawn out and overwritten at times, and started dragging towards the end for me. But all-in-all I throughly enjoyed this book and took so many different things out of it.
The characters, relationships, and family dynamics were so fleshed out and felt real. This is one of the novels strengths, but also to its own detriment at times. This book switches focus from character to character therefore meaning some characters almost disappear and are rarely seen afterawhile despite all the time spent with them earlier. Sometimes at the cost of a character I didn't really care for. Still I appreciated all these characters complexities and faults. Irie Jones was my absolutely favorite and wish we got to spend more time with her.
The book did feel drawn out and overwritten at times, and started dragging towards the end for me. But all-in-all I throughly enjoyed this book and took so many different things out of it.
bmedvid's review
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
r_zoner's review
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Racism
maddywebster_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.25
wry, hilarious, truthful and fun. even when exploring darker moments, smith attacks them with humour, conveying what seems to be a real love for the characters she has created and the world she describes.
kyra_c_c's review
4.0
Moments of absolute brilliance punctuate what were, for me, a few pages of overwrought detail. A unique style of writing and I look forward to reading another book by Smith soon!
savaging's review against another edition
5.0
A London full of Jehovah's Witnessers and animal rights terrorists and genetic manipulators and Islamic fundamentalists -- ALL the different sorts of fundamentalists too far from the fundamental, and all of them handing out pamphlets. I'm aware that Zadie Smith is back there trying to give the readers what they want, but I'm sold: I'm getting what I want (all these characters to love, all the Big Talk about race and colonization and faith couched in the heartbreak and hilarity of particulars). She's there at the very first chapter title grabbing my hand and saying wanna go on a ride? And yes, I do.
monazzz's review
challenging
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
3.75