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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This is the third book by Smith I have read, and though she is an undeniably talented writer, I felt the structuring of the book betrayed what could have been something excellent.
The book is divided into sections, each following the lives of former residents of a council estate in North West London and the different paths their lives take in adulthood. The ultimate issue here was that not all of the characters’ lives were as compelling as each other. The first and second sections of the novel were by far the best, as both Felix and Leah were interesting and complex characters, and Smith was effectively experimenting with writing style here. The next three sections are effectively dominated by another character Natalie. I found these sections to be less well written, less interesting, and despite the massive amount of time dedicated to Natalie I gained far less of an understanding of who she was than the other two characters.
This book is a relatively easy read, the characters feel vivid in places and the strength of the first half outweighs its trailing off in the second for me.
The book is divided into sections, each following the lives of former residents of a council estate in North West London and the different paths their lives take in adulthood. The ultimate issue here was that not all of the characters’ lives were as compelling as each other. The first and second sections of the novel were by far the best, as both Felix and Leah were interesting and complex characters, and Smith was effectively experimenting with writing style here. The next three sections are effectively dominated by another character Natalie. I found these sections to be less well written, less interesting, and despite the massive amount of time dedicated to Natalie I gained far less of an understanding of who she was than the other two characters.
This book is a relatively easy read, the characters feel vivid in places and the strength of the first half outweighs its trailing off in the second for me.
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Not my favorite, but I can understand the appeal. I found the third section, with its numbered chronological sequencing of lifetime events, the most interesting in terms of both style and substance; Natalie/Keisha ended up a far more interesting character study than Leah or Felix, who felt much more of a throwaway character sandwiched between the narratives of the two women than anything. Perhaps the book was originally conceived as three short stories that the editor insisted be threaded together as a novel? Even when the tie between Felix and the two women became evident at the end it felt a bit contrived.
There were interesting moments and some enjoyable prose, but overall this book was a little disappointing given the clear talents of the author.
There were interesting moments and some enjoyable prose, but overall this book was a little disappointing given the clear talents of the author.
Zadie Smith is one of my favorite authors currently living on this planet. That's why it pains me so much to say how little I liked this book.
There were small flashes of brilliance, sure. But where was the story? I wanted some sort of cohesion.. and maybe that was the point? But if so, the point was made at the sacrifice of the reader's enjoyment.
I find myself longing for 23-year-old Zadie, who could weave together a story like no one else. Instead we have all-grown-up Zadie, whose avant garde prose soars far over the heads of her readers. There's a way to be far out there without leaving everyone else behind. Zadie's re-discovering how to take us with her on that ride.
There were small flashes of brilliance, sure. But where was the story? I wanted some sort of cohesion.. and maybe that was the point? But if so, the point was made at the sacrifice of the reader's enjoyment.
I find myself longing for 23-year-old Zadie, who could weave together a story like no one else. Instead we have all-grown-up Zadie, whose avant garde prose soars far over the heads of her readers. There's a way to be far out there without leaving everyone else behind. Zadie's re-discovering how to take us with her on that ride.
I just really did not get this, the structure was everywhere and nowhere at the same time which didn't make it engaging enough for me
At first, I was very lost when I started reading it. However, the more I read it the more I started to like it. English is not my native language, which is why NW was definitely a challenging book. I had to read twice to finally more or less understand. The friendship between Leah, Keisha/Natalie left me wondering about the meaning of friendship and the degrees of friendship. I felt really sorry for Felix and I kept wondering if Nathan was really a person of interest.
I don't know if I just read this at the wrong time or if I was misled by the blurb and expected something completely different. I feel like I always end up reading stories about the dark and depressing side of London - which I obviously know exists - but it just makes me sad and I feel like a complete imposter when I visit my favourite city and see all the wonderful things around me. The writing style in the first part of the book should actually suit me perfectly because it seems like you're in the mind of someone with severe ADHD, but apparently it's not the same as my own ADHD and I just couldn't relate to the characters. Actually, I related to Felix the most, which surprises me, even as I'm writing this down. Might give this one a new chance at a later time.
