A review by sharkybookshelf
Gliff by Ali Smith

4.0

Two young siblings arrive home to find their house encircled by a line of wet red paint - what does it mean?

I loved Gliff. It was everything I’d expect from Ali Smith doing dystopian political critique - her signature playful mastery of language is there, of course, and she really dials up sticking it to the Man. It’s dystopian, but feels like a potential future that’s increasingly within reach (even more so in the last couple of months, which is horrifying in itself).

I went in pretty blind, and as with any Ali Smith novel, I think that’s the best approach - buckle up and surrender yourself to the zingy flow of her ideas. In this case we’re treated to a combined commentary on identity and (not) fitting into boxes, gender politics, belonging, government overreach, authoritarianism, privacy, the climate and the environment. It might sound like a lot but it all fits together.

Smith rewards her readers with plenty to think about, and I always enjoy seeing the clever and unexpected links she draws between ideas and cultural references. This book is no exception and I’m very much looking forward to the second part releasing in late 2025!

A near-future dystopian political critique of identity, belonging and the environment told with Smith’s signature playful mastery of language.