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A review by mickstrauther
Swing Time by Zadie Smith
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this! I was skeptical at first because of how many reviews complained that this book was “about nothing,” and I am notoriously someone who needs a solid plot in a novel. Instead of agreeing in the case of this book, I felt myself happily drawn forth by Smith’s writing, which is just so quick-witted and well done that this alone pulled me along. She’s not so dense that you can’t understand what she saying, but instead, your brain power goes toward finding and understanding the hints she’s dropping and the connections she is suggesting. She’s a clever writer, and because of this, I trusted her, even as the book veered into and away from Tracey, the narrator’s childhood friend, who the book largely revolves around.
I loved reading about the friendship between Tracey and the narrator. Books about childhood friends are incredibly intriguing to me, and this one did not fall short. But the other half of this book, which follows the narrator’s career as a PA for a pop star, was also such an interesting territory to explore. It did take me a while to get through the book, but mostly just because it’s not a fast-paced, anxiety inducing novel. That doesn’t necessarily detract from the parts I enjoyed.
I would definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for great writing and some food for thought regarding race, relationships, class, performance, and family. It’s not exactly lighthearted, but I wouldn’t categorize it as dark either.
I loved reading about the friendship between Tracey and the narrator. Books about childhood friends are incredibly intriguing to me, and this one did not fall short. But the other half of this book, which follows the narrator’s career as a PA for a pop star, was also such an interesting territory to explore. It did take me a while to get through the book, but mostly just because it’s not a fast-paced, anxiety inducing novel. That doesn’t necessarily detract from the parts I enjoyed.
I would definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for great writing and some food for thought regarding race, relationships, class, performance, and family. It’s not exactly lighthearted, but I wouldn’t categorize it as dark either.