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withlivjones's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A really interesting read, definitely not what I expected just from reading the back of the book, but I would honestly recommend going into any Ali Smith book not knowing anything about its contents. I loved the first part of the book, with the non-chronological exploration of the relationship between Richard and Paddy. I also found Brit’s character fascinating to read - she is definitely not a likeable character but she is a very interesting one, and there are many real people like her who simply close themselves off when presented with something that challenges their worldview. Ali Smith is a master of character creation - she makes these very unique and specific characters that shouldn’t meet on a normal day, and then forces them together.
I have two main issues with the book. The first is that I didn’t really understand the character of Florence, although perhaps she’s not meant to be understood. Her powers of invisibility as explained in the book made sense to a point, but past that she seemed overpowered in a way that made everything very convenient for the other characters. The second issue is that the book just doesn’t feel seasonal enough. The “present day” portion of the story happens in October, which isn’t even in Spring! Something I really loved about Winter was that the bleakness of the writing perfectly matched the tone of the season, and the fact that the main story takes place over Christmas helps with that too, and I just didn’t get that same feeling in this book.
I still love Ali Smith’s writing, and she told a very important story in this book, but I’m hoping the rest of the series will improve from this instalment.
I have two main issues with the book. The first is that I didn’t really understand the character of Florence, although perhaps she’s not meant to be understood. Her powers of invisibility as explained in the book made sense to a point, but past that she seemed overpowered in a way that made everything very convenient for the other characters. The second issue is that the book just doesn’t feel seasonal enough. The “present day” portion of the story happens in October, which isn’t even in Spring! Something I really loved about Winter was that the bleakness of the writing perfectly matched the tone of the season, and the fact that the main story takes place over Christmas helps with that too, and I just didn’t get that same feeling in this book.
I still love Ali Smith’s writing, and she told a very important story in this book, but I’m hoping the rest of the series will improve from this instalment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Deportation
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Sexism
writtenontheflyleaves's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Spring by Ali Smith 🌸
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Long overdue for the #alismithreadalong but it's here!!
🌸 The plot: Richard is a filmmaker who is grieving the death of his close collaborator, Paddy. He's been asked to help adapt a book about Katherine Mansfield and Rainer Maria Rilke, but his new partner is butchering it and without Paddy's insight, Richard doesn't see the point any more. Brit is a worker at an immigration detention centre where the daily meaningless cruelty of the job is wearing away at her humanity. Brought together by chance encounters with Florence, a twelve year old girl with a remarkable gift, Richard and Brit are caught up in a story about connection and hope that is bigger than both of them.
Spring is probably my second favourite of the Seasonal Quartet, but it's the one that I find hardest to read. Its analysis of the UK government's treatment of refugees seems to get more prescient with every passing year: the routine dehumanisation of vulnerable people, the constant directive from right wing media to share nothing, close the doors and send them somewhere else, enshrining cruelty as standard procedure. The aptly-named Brit is an infuriating character, because of the ways in which she suppresses her conscience, acting out of fear and anger and surrendering responsibility for her actions. You want her better nature to win out, but she just doesn't seem ready.
Still, like all Alis, this is ultimately a hopeful book. Richard's story really blazed out at me on this reread, the way it speaks to Ali's devotion to the theme of companionship in all her work. His love for Paddy felt vivid and beautiful despite the pain of his grief, and the message the book leaves you with is that while hostility grows here, resistance and hope do too. Smith dares to suggest that deep under the surface, good things are growing, and while it's only a glimmer of hope, I'll take it.
🌸 Read it if you want to see the impact of Theresa May's hostile environment depicted alongside hope for change and resistance.
🚫 Avoid it if you're sensitive to depictions of suicidal thoughts/ suicide attempts and particularly forced incarceration.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Long overdue for the #alismithreadalong but it's here!!
🌸 The plot: Richard is a filmmaker who is grieving the death of his close collaborator, Paddy. He's been asked to help adapt a book about Katherine Mansfield and Rainer Maria Rilke, but his new partner is butchering it and without Paddy's insight, Richard doesn't see the point any more. Brit is a worker at an immigration detention centre where the daily meaningless cruelty of the job is wearing away at her humanity. Brought together by chance encounters with Florence, a twelve year old girl with a remarkable gift, Richard and Brit are caught up in a story about connection and hope that is bigger than both of them.
Spring is probably my second favourite of the Seasonal Quartet, but it's the one that I find hardest to read. Its analysis of the UK government's treatment of refugees seems to get more prescient with every passing year: the routine dehumanisation of vulnerable people, the constant directive from right wing media to share nothing, close the doors and send them somewhere else, enshrining cruelty as standard procedure. The aptly-named Brit is an infuriating character, because of the ways in which she suppresses her conscience, acting out of fear and anger and surrendering responsibility for her actions. You want her better nature to win out, but she just doesn't seem ready.
Still, like all Alis, this is ultimately a hopeful book. Richard's story really blazed out at me on this reread, the way it speaks to Ali's devotion to the theme of companionship in all her work. His love for Paddy felt vivid and beautiful despite the pain of his grief, and the message the book leaves you with is that while hostility grows here, resistance and hope do too. Smith dares to suggest that deep under the surface, good things are growing, and while it's only a glimmer of hope, I'll take it.
🌸 Read it if you want to see the impact of Theresa May's hostile environment depicted alongside hope for change and resistance.
🚫 Avoid it if you're sensitive to depictions of suicidal thoughts/ suicide attempts and particularly forced incarceration.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Racism and Sexism
Minor: Self harm, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Trafficking, Death of parent, and War