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A review by abbie_
There but for the by Ali Smith
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
When someone asks me why I love Ali Smith so much, I find it difficult to put together a coherent answer. There's just ~something~ about her. Her work pushes me out of my comfort zone each time, as she's incredibly playful with language. I often have to read sections of her books two or three times to make sure I'm getting what she's putting out there, and I relish the challenge. It forces me to slow down and appreciate her insight and linguistic creativity.
.
There But For The centres around one man, Miles, who has locked himself in the spare bedroom of a stranger during an excruciating dinner party. It all unravels from there, with Smith using it as a jumping point to explore all manner of things in true Ali Smith fashion. Sometimes I have no idea where she's taking me when she goes off on one of her tangents, but I'm always strapped in and ready for the ride.
.
I said this in my review of Summer, but I honestly don't know a writer from the UK who has a keener eye on the shenanigans of the nation and the idiosyncrasies of the British people. We are helpless in front of Ali Smith's pen. She sees all and she doesn't hesitate to decimate us with a few choice words. The dinner party chapter honestly curled my toes, it was just so accurate, the casual xenophobia of the white British middle-class laid out bare.
.
Just like in the Seasonal Quartet, Smith brings together a cast of seemingly unrelated characters who couldn't be more different from one another. Then by some magical manoeuvring far beyond my comprehension, the connections all slot into place and my tiny mind is blown. Even with my least favourite Smiths, there's always a moment that makes me go 😯 Ali, you sneaky so-and-so, you!
.
If you haven't read Ali Smith yet, please do yourself a favour and pick up one of her books! Don't worry if you don't follow at first; you're in more than capable hands.
.
There But For The centres around one man, Miles, who has locked himself in the spare bedroom of a stranger during an excruciating dinner party. It all unravels from there, with Smith using it as a jumping point to explore all manner of things in true Ali Smith fashion. Sometimes I have no idea where she's taking me when she goes off on one of her tangents, but I'm always strapped in and ready for the ride.
.
I said this in my review of Summer, but I honestly don't know a writer from the UK who has a keener eye on the shenanigans of the nation and the idiosyncrasies of the British people. We are helpless in front of Ali Smith's pen. She sees all and she doesn't hesitate to decimate us with a few choice words. The dinner party chapter honestly curled my toes, it was just so accurate, the casual xenophobia of the white British middle-class laid out bare.
.
Just like in the Seasonal Quartet, Smith brings together a cast of seemingly unrelated characters who couldn't be more different from one another. Then by some magical manoeuvring far beyond my comprehension, the connections all slot into place and my tiny mind is blown. Even with my least favourite Smiths, there's always a moment that makes me go 😯 Ali, you sneaky so-and-so, you!
.
If you haven't read Ali Smith yet, please do yourself a favour and pick up one of her books! Don't worry if you don't follow at first; you're in more than capable hands.