Review by pomoevareads - Gliff

pomoevareads 's review for:

Gliff by Ali Smith

4.5

adventurous challenging hopeful informative mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Just finished Gliff by Ali Smith, and I need a copy for my shelves—this book was outstanding.

If your book club is looking for a literary/dystopian novel that explores otherness, technology, language, fluidity, and connection, Gliff is a must-read.

At its core, it’s about two siblings left to fend for themselves after being dropped off in a strange city. The younger sibling bonds with a horse destined for slaughter and vows to save it. The story is set in the future but feels eerily present.

One sibling is never gendered, allowing fluidity to exist without explanation. The role of language and meaning in Gliff, even in the title which can mean many things at once, was like I’ve never read before. And there’s a powerful moment where Briar recalls their mother saying, there’s a reason it’s called the web or the net. That technology can use us the same way we use it is a warning not just to the character but to the reader. That hit hard.

I couldn’t put this book down. Smith’s writing is brilliant, and I can’t wait for the companion novel.

Content Warnings