A review by silverliningsandpages
Autumn by Ali Smith

challenging emotional funny reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I finally joined the Ali Smith party. Witty, perceptive and poignant, it works so well for me as a social commentary post-Brexit referendum.  I see it as a book of sharply observed moments and feelings though as an entire story, I’m afraid some of the book went over my head - but that’s ok!  I still got a lot out of it, and it brought back such strong memories of my reaction to Brexit.  On the day of the result (and following days), I could hardly speak for shock and feeling a profound sense of loss, I struggled to find motivation to do simple tasks in the house, even caring for my then baby! I think Ali Smith has really captured the strength of emotions on both sides with her very powerful, stream of  conscious writing:

“All across the country, people felt it was the wrong thing. All across the country, people felt it was the right thing. All across the country, people felt they'd really lost. All across the country, people felt they'd really won. All across the country, people felt they'd done the right thing and other people had done the wrong thing. All across the country, people looked up Google: what is EU? All across the country, people looked up Google: move to Scotland. All across the country, people looked up Google: Irish Passport Applications. All across the country, people called each other c***s. All across the country, people felt unsafe. All across the country, people were laughing their heads off. All across the country, people felt legitimised. All across the country, people felt bereaved and shocked. All across the country, people felt righteous. All across the country, people felt sick. All across the country, people felt history at their shoulder. All across the country, people felt history meant nothing. All across the country, people felt like they counted for nothing. All across the country, people had pinned their hopes on it. All across the country, people waved flags in the rain. All across the country, people drew swastika graffiti. All across the country, people threatened other people. All across the country, people told people to leave. All across the country, the media was insane. All across the country, politicians lied. All across the country, politicians fell apart. All across the country, politicians vanished...”