Take a photo of a barcode or cover
Believing in the parallels between hardcore brexiteers and the maga gang allows this American (me) to find solace and commiseration in this British tale, the inhumanity of what we have just lived through in the last 5-6 years and continue to live through in exacerbated disorientation and chaos in 2021. I read this novel too late. The horrors of 2017, filtered through these wonderful characters’ reactions/passivity, feels distant and even nostalgic while now in the throes of COVID. But in 2017, there was an ongoing refugee crisis, a high rise apartment burning in London, an obstinate Brexit train careening toward “sovereignty”. This is in the background of Smith’s characters’ surreal Christmastime, amidst hallucinations, unwitting interventions, posturing, hiding and finally a faint glimmer of reconciliation, as if to say, after it all, perhaps we can hope.
challenging
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this book feels a little obsessed with itself but tbh if my prose was Like That i would be obsessed with myself too
I liked this book even more than I liked Autumn, and I had already rated it 5 stars.
It's a very fun read, in how Smith playes with language (if you like that kind of style), but what I loved the most is Smith knows how to comment on very complex and important political issues without leaving us hopeless after all.
It's a very fun read, in how Smith playes with language (if you like that kind of style), but what I loved the most is Smith knows how to comment on very complex and important political issues without leaving us hopeless after all.
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Finished on the couch after my second nap of the day.
I can see my rating moving up after reading other books this year but as always with Ali smith there’s parts I love and such believable dialogue but then there’s also something so abstract I simply don’t understand why it’s happening.
I can see my rating moving up after reading other books this year but as always with Ali smith there’s parts I love and such believable dialogue but then there’s also something so abstract I simply don’t understand why it’s happening.
