Reviews

Autumn by Ali Smith

laura_corsi's review against another edition

3.0

Elizabeth is a young girl, who upon moving into a new row home with her mom after her dad has left, strikes up a friendship with the older gentleman who lives next door. Daniel becomes a grandfather/father figure to her and shapes her thinking in many ways that baffle Elizabeth's mother. Daniel himself, however, is a bit of mystery. A mystery that Elizabeth must unravel at the end of Daniel's life, before it is too late.

This is a sort of melancholy tale that seems to reflect the dying of the year.

savaging's review against another edition

5.0

I thought I was over literary novels where nothing really happens, but turns out I just needed to read one that included: the horrors of creeping fascism, the absurdities of bureaucracy, a bad mom reevaluated as a lovely person, a dying lifelong friend, and a deep commitment to the beauty that remains amid all this death.

cath_a's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

4.5

khawlah's review against another edition

1.0

not sure what I just read

sainte_v's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective relaxing slow-paced

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

4.25

kat7890erina's review against another edition

4.0

I can't say that I really picked up everything that this was putting down, but I loved the writing and especially the dialogie.

eleanor029's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

This was my first book by Ali Smith. I did not know what to expect from the story before starting to read and now I know why. It was more of an experience than a story, which irked me some at first when I finished it, but it's okay. I had hoped something would happen, and the open ending is good for the book, but not good for me wanting to know everything. 
I will be reading the rest of the series and I'm curious to see whether they tie in with eachother or are separate. I have found nothing on that in any reviews so far, especially whether one can read the series "out of order".

jessicarosee's review against another edition

4.0

this was???? so good???? loved this so much

suzecate's review against another edition

Will restart in the fall. Got distracted 

vkce23's review against another edition

funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

Wonderful! Reflective, funny, atmospheric, poignant. Read it in 2 sittings it was so good. Deep yet humorous, I loved the examination of the minutiae of British life (the post office!) alongside the more surreal art, history and literature references seen through Daniel’s memory. Amazing writing - 5*.