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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
This is a book that is written in a way that isn't a flow-though story-line. There are couple of different styles of writing thrown in and different character's points of view. Still, it works rather well and is more of a "snapshots from the NW of London" than a continuous story-line. This lack of flow and abrupt change in writing style may put off some readers but I really enjoyed it.
It really seems to capture the more economically struggling section of NW London well. It made me feel like I was seeing the area through the character's eyes. This is something that Zadie Smith seems to do well with the books she writes. It captures the hopeless feeling and the struggles to rise above the place the characters were born into.
I am definitely a fan of Zadie Smith and cannot wait to see what she writes next.
It really seems to capture the more economically struggling section of NW London well. It made me feel like I was seeing the area through the character's eyes. This is something that Zadie Smith seems to do well with the books she writes. It captures the hopeless feeling and the struggles to rise above the place the characters were born into.
I am definitely a fan of Zadie Smith and cannot wait to see what she writes next.
My Creative Writing professor recommended this book to us saying we could learn so much from Zadie Smith's writing style. I must admit that I did like her writing style but that was the only thing I really enjoyed about NW.
Maybe I couldn't identify with the book because I've never been to a big city for longer than 3 days and therefore don't know how life is like there. I hated Keisha/Natalie as a character and found it really hard to stay focused on her part(s) of the story. Moreover, I didn't like Smith's writing style in the "Host" part of the book. The little chapters, most of which aren't longer than half a page were quite confusing and it was hard to know how much time had passed between them.
I also didn't like Felix's sex scene with the old dancer because it was so gross. I literally had to put down the book because I felt quite sick. The same thing happened when Keisha's experiences with the dildo were described.
That being said I think that Londoners might enjoy this book and give it a higher rating but it just wasn't my kind of book.
Maybe I couldn't identify with the book because I've never been to a big city for longer than 3 days and therefore don't know how life is like there. I hated Keisha/Natalie as a character and found it really hard to stay focused on her part(s) of the story. Moreover, I didn't like Smith's writing style in the "Host" part of the book. The little chapters, most of which aren't longer than half a page were quite confusing and it was hard to know how much time had passed between them.
I also didn't like Felix's sex scene with the old dancer because it was so gross. I literally had to put down the book because I felt quite sick. The same thing happened when Keisha's experiences with the dildo were described.
That being said I think that Londoners might enjoy this book and give it a higher rating but it just wasn't my kind of book.
Was just not gripping and I wasn’t engaged with any of the characters.
This is very well-written and I feel like I missed a ton of philosophical meaning and hidden depths that you don't have time to grasp in an audiobook. But the main problem was that I could not connect with the characters. There are three narrators in this story, but the first two are a lot less developed than the last one, Keisha. This makes the story seem disjointed and almost like I could have really done without the Leah and Felix's sections. In fact, by the end of Keisha's story, I had completely forgotten what had happened to the other characters. During Felix's narration, I had a nagging feeling that his story was being told "ironically", he just seemed so alien to me. Keisha's story is much more engaging and has some brilliant moments and observations but I was still very far away from really "getting" her. Of course this might be different for someone that has more in common with her and the other characters. But sadly this is starting to become my problem with Zadie Smith's books: I fundamentally don't understand what she's trying to convey. I don't think this was a problem in her earlier books, like White Teeth. Honestly, you shouldn't have to share background/race/class/education with a character to connect with them.
I felt like I was in a cutting-edge museum looking at a piece of art that has gone where no other artist had gone before. I admired the craft and intelligence that went into creating such a unique creation. Yet, I had no desire to take it home.
Admired it? Yes.
Love it? No. A matter of taste, I suppose.
Admired it? Yes.
Love it? No. A matter of taste, I suppose.
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a tricky read--felt hard to grasp on to at times, but also beautiful at times.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated