Reviews

How to Be Both by Ali Smith

pipit's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

Deeply endeared by the notion that life in it's multiplicity is always built on and in conversation with the ripples of history even if we have no way of knowing, or even if we are no longer around to see and hear it. A challenging read in its experimentation even as the sparks it occasionally set off delighted me. 

xoopa's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad 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? No

4.25

djkwm's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

yazzzzberry's review against another edition

emotional funny mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

dfvictorie's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

jess_mango's review against another edition

4.0

Well, I think this just may be my favorite Ali Smith book!

vsb's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

allbutterbiscuit's review against another edition

funny informative reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

I went to Ferrara to see the Palazzo Schifanoia in real life, and finished the book that night. I read George's story before Francesco's, and can't imagine reading it the other way around.

I like how obsessed with a single piece of artwork this story was.

I felt so sad for George. It was so funny when her father sees her on the iPad in the yard and wonders why she can't have normal teenaged problems. Was George's mother being followed by the authorities? We will never know.

I appreciated the almost stream-of-consciousness narration of Francesco's story, and the contrast in pacing between part one and two.

moominess's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

3.75

Kind of a masterpiece of contemporary fiction, but it took me a while to get into and by the end of it I was left wanting more (though in a way maybe that was the point?) 

rcarsonb's review against another edition

5.0

I just really liked this