Reviews with content warning for Classism - The Fraud

Reviews tagging 'Classism'

nialiversuch's review

Go to review page

dark emotional funny informative reflective sad slow-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

Content Warnings

bessadams's review

Go to review page

challenging funny informative reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

Content Warnings

serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny 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

4.0

There are two key characters at the centre of The Fraud, a novel set in 19th century London. Eliza Touchet was abandoned by her husband who took their son and left her penniless. She was taken in by her brother-in-law, English novelist William Ainsworth, and employed as a housekeeper. The other key character is Andrew Bogle, a formerly enslaved man. Eliza accompanies Ainsworth’s wife to watch the case of the Tichborne claimant. Sir Roger Tichborne was thought to have drowned in a shipwreck, but a man claiming to be him appears and lays claim to the family fortune. Andrew Bogel had worked for the Tichborne family for many years and testifies in favour of the claimant. Eliza is taken with Andrew Bogel, recognising some of herself in him. The plot has got a lot more going on than this brief summary indicates, including Eliza having relationships with both Ainsworth and his first wife. Several aspects of this novel appealed to me. The first was its social critique especially with regards to race, gender and class. There’s lots of depth and intersectionality in the way these issues are explored, but the messaging is not heavy handed. There’s also some interesting exploration of slavery, the sugar trade, and the complicated and not always accurate ways many English people viewed Jamaica. A second aspect was the humour especially when it came to literature, both Eliza’s assessment of Ainsworth’s novels and his jealousy as his literary stocks fell while those of Charles Dickens rose. Some delicious fun is poked at Dickens along the way. I also liked that this story drew my attention to real people and events such as the Tichborne case that had previously flown under my radar.

This is Zadie Smith’s first foray into historical fiction and I found it more accessible than her previous novels I’ve read. I have read reviews where readers who have loved her previous works lament the loss of originality and zaniness in this book. As always tastes differ. It is not a short book but the short chapters made it read quickly as did Smith’s trademark snappy dialogue.

Many thanks to @penguinbooksnz for the complimentary review copy.

Content Warnings