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Last month I read [b:Autumn|28446947|Autumn (Seasonal Quartet, #1)|Ali Smith|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1456560519l/28446947._SY75_.jpg|48572278] and cursed myself for taking so long to get into the Seasonal Quartet. I placed a hold on Winter at my library immediately after and binged most of its timely, seasonal, poignant, funny, and dry contents within a few hours. Oh Ali Smith, how you thrill me so!
Winter is the perfect holiday read for someone who loves to read about dysfunctional family dynamics. So in other words, Winter is the perfect holiday read for me. Sophia, Art, Lux and Iris are a fantastic collection of characters in that they all bring something different to the table and, through that, bring something different out in each other. Iris brings a rage and frustration out of Sophia that seems unmatched by anyone else's presence, Sophia's presence makes Art regress back to being a child who craves familial validation and family connections so much he's willing to do anything for them. And Lux, beautiful Lux, navigating this insane dynamic she's been paid to enter, bringing the characters together.
Much like the previous book in this quartet, Winter is quite devoid of a flashy plot, focusing instead inwards and creating its story through deep character studies. Again, there's pretty much nothing I enjoy more than a book where nothing except picking character's brains happens. The drama in Winter happens when the contents of brains clash, bringing forth deliciously toxic and tense dynamics that truly do not make for a great experience at Christmas dinner. But Winter is so much more than just Christmas dinner, and that 'so much more' comes from the way it moves seamlessly back and forth through time, showcasing that people are never just what you see in front of you in the here and now, that every minute in their lives has shaped them to be who they are.
So far, two books in, Winter is my favorite in the quartet. In 2023 I will continue with the series and find out once and for all what my ranking for this fascinating series is!
Winter is the perfect holiday read for someone who loves to read about dysfunctional family dynamics. So in other words, Winter is the perfect holiday read for me. Sophia, Art, Lux and Iris are a fantastic collection of characters in that they all bring something different to the table and, through that, bring something different out in each other. Iris brings a rage and frustration out of Sophia that seems unmatched by anyone else's presence, Sophia's presence makes Art regress back to being a child who craves familial validation and family connections so much he's willing to do anything for them. And Lux, beautiful Lux, navigating this insane dynamic she's been paid to enter, bringing the characters together.
Much like the previous book in this quartet, Winter is quite devoid of a flashy plot, focusing instead inwards and creating its story through deep character studies. Again, there's pretty much nothing I enjoy more than a book where nothing except picking character's brains happens. The drama in Winter happens when the contents of brains clash, bringing forth deliciously toxic and tense dynamics that truly do not make for a great experience at Christmas dinner. But Winter is so much more than just Christmas dinner, and that 'so much more' comes from the way it moves seamlessly back and forth through time, showcasing that people are never just what you see in front of you in the here and now, that every minute in their lives has shaped them to be who they are.
So far, two books in, Winter is my favorite in the quartet. In 2023 I will continue with the series and find out once and for all what my ranking for this fascinating series is!