When Alex-Li Tandem is 12 years old, his father takes him and his friends Adam and Rubinfine to a wrestling match at the Albert Hall in London. By ...
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Nov 22, 2008
GillyP
rated it: 
An everyday tale, really, keeps you reading but nothing terribly original or special. The language is what lifts this story out of the mundane. The last five paragraphs were lyrical and perfect and yet the end was a disappointment - it went on too long but ended too soon.
I would have liked to see more of what happened with Kitty, would have liked to see more of what happened to Max, what happened to Alex once it became known that…
But I don’t want to spoil.
Ve More...
I would have liked to see more of what happened with Kitty, would have liked to see more of what happened to Max, what happened to Alex once it became known that…
But I don’t want to spoil.
Ve More...
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Sep 30, 2011
MJ
rated it:
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
James Wood in his thesis review covers all the thoughts I had on this one (and more and more) and is the most worthwhile review of this book around. For those who aren’t that interested, let me sum up the basics: lapsed Anglo-Chinese Jew Alex-Li is an autograph hunter fixated on Kitty Alexander, fictional Hollywood starlet of the 1950s. He spends his time writing a book on Jews v. Christians, spurning his faith, squabbling with rabbis, upsetting his bald girlfriend More...
James Wood in his thesis review covers all the thoughts I had on this one (and more and more) and is the most worthwhile review of this book around. For those who aren’t that interested, let me sum up the basics: lapsed Anglo-Chinese Jew Alex-Li is an autograph hunter fixated on Kitty Alexander, fictional Hollywood starlet of the 1950s. He spends his time writing a book on Jews v. Christians, spurning his faith, squabbling with rabbis, upsetting his bald girlfriend More...
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Feb 26, 2008
Emily
rated it: 
What started out as a promising read quickly turned into a...really crappy one. I know this makes me sound somewhat like a whiny seventh grader when I say this, but god, this book was booooorring. I read the entire thing hoping that at some point it'd turn the corner and pick up the pace, but no, it just basically ground itself out into a completely anti-climactic ending. But before that we got pages and pages of...I don't even know what, I disliked this book so much that I immediately purged it
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Jun 19, 2009
Siria
rated it: 
I enjoyed Smith's writing style far more than I enjoyed the plot (which promised some things but delivered others) or the characters (who are neatly drawn, but on paper that is very thin indeed); but even the sometimes whimsical, sometimes nervy, sometimes delightful turns of her prose weren't enough to save The Autograph Man from being something of a disappointment. It's more mature in some ways than White Teeth, darker, and I would imagine in many ways a reflection on Smith's part on the fame
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Dec 16, 2009
arose
rated it: 
"Alex, like everybody, held hospitals in the hightest, purest dread and loathing. To come in with a bump and leave with the baby--this is the only grace available in a hospital. Other than that, there is only pain. The concentration of pain. Hospitals are unique in this concentration. There are no areas in the world dedicated to the concentration of pleasure (theme parks and their like are a concentration of the symbols of pleasure, not pleasure itself), there are no buildings dedicated to
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Jul 06, 2010
Juanita
rated it:
First I'll say I loved her book "White Teeth." This, her second book, "not so much," as the proverbial "they" say. But, literally, "not so much as the first one." Some of the same strengths here: zany and completely believable characters, unexpectedly ordinary life actions made special by the acuity of her observation, delightful irrelevances, racial/ethnic diversity, and life-forms that are not intellectual professional-class white American guys. Nothi
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Aug 18, 2009
Alan
rated it:
Alex-Li Tandem wakes up one morning to find that he owns something
he's been obsessed with for years: the autograph of 50's film icon
Kitty Alexander. If he hadn't been on some unusually potent drugs the
night before, he'd swear his dreams had come true. As it is, most of
his friends figure he's finally snapped and forged the priceless
memento himself. So begins "The Autograph Man", Zadie Smith's followup
to her blockbuster first novel "White Te More...
he's been obsessed with for years: the autograph of 50's film icon
Kitty Alexander. If he hadn't been on some unusually potent drugs the
night before, he'd swear his dreams had come true. As it is, most of
his friends figure he's finally snapped and forged the priceless
memento himself. So begins "The Autograph Man", Zadie Smith's followup
to her blockbuster first novel "White Te More...
Aug 11, 2010
Karen
rated it: 
This book has performed a necessary feat--revived my love of literature and STORY post a 3-year, year-round, purely academic stint. An unmatched feeling (exclusive to the luxury of reading for pleasure) constantly arises: I read, I stare at a household object or tree and repeat the gifted string of words, thinking, how in the world did anyone know to write this? How did Smith know to wrap up the humour of philography, the elusiveness of fame, the over-the-top sanctity of religious belief, and th
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Nov 12, 2010
Bradydale
rated it:
One of the single most memorable books I've ever read and totally underappreciated. It's so good. It's about a young man totally at a loss in his life and he has to do a lot of stupid things to realize he actually has it all pretty good. She chooses a very funny little adventure and a very special character to help him get his head sorted.
It's hard for me to say why this book is so great. I think Smith just has a lot of talent but is often constrained by others expectations of her tale More...
It's hard for me to say why this book is so great. I think Smith just has a lot of talent but is often constrained by others expectations of her tale More...
Mar 16, 2009
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 19, 2011
Jenny
rated it:
Not as good as On Beauty, not anywhere as good as White Teeth, but still good enough if you´re a Zadie Smith fan.
Reading Zadie Smith´s beautiful prose is always a reason to pick up anything by her, but this one is definitely her weakest. Is it the main character who never grows on us, with his lukewarm approach to life and his constant inability to decide whether he wants to be with his stunning girlfriend (who also has a pacemaker) or fool around with some random acquaintance... while harb More...
Reading Zadie Smith´s beautiful prose is always a reason to pick up anything by her, but this one is definitely her weakest. Is it the main character who never grows on us, with his lukewarm approach to life and his constant inability to decide whether he wants to be with his stunning girlfriend (who also has a pacemaker) or fool around with some random acquaintance... while harb More...
Jun 18, 2011
Donna
rated it:
She hopes for nothing except fine weather and a resolution. She wants to end properly, like a good sentence.
Zadie Smith has been on my list of authors to read for several years, but I'd only heard of her more well-known novels, White Teeth and On Beauty. I found The Autograph Man on a bookshelf in the teacher's lounge at my school and immediately picked it up.
The story was difficult to get into at first, as the main character, Alex Li-Tandem, didn't start off being too s More...
Zadie Smith has been on my list of authors to read for several years, but I'd only heard of her more well-known novels, White Teeth and On Beauty. I found The Autograph Man on a bookshelf in the teacher's lounge at my school and immediately picked it up.
The story was difficult to get into at first, as the main character, Alex Li-Tandem, didn't start off being too s More...
Mar 11, 2011
Zoe
rated it:
One of the problems with this book, is that it will inevitably be read with 'White Teeth' in mind, and unfortunately, it really doesn't compare. While it demonstrates Smith's tongue-in-cheek humour, it is incredibly slow to start, and the characters are such superficial creations, that it is often difficult to empathise with them. I agree with another reviewer who suggests that Smith seems to have packed too many ideas in here. This results in a novel which is not as satisfyingly complete as
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Nov 06, 2011
Haunt
rated it:
Ne ho parlato anche nel gruppo di Zadie Smith e quindi riporto le mie stesse parole:</p>
nell'insieme un bel libro, ma ho patito un po' quella strana sensazione di inconcludenza che si trova in quei dialoghi in cui i personaggi non sembrano parlare tra loro ma ognuno per conto proprio.
Nell'insieme piacevole, anche se Alex Li-Tandem all'inizio sembra così poco padrone della propria vita, come se vivesse in un quasi perenne stato di fluida confusione... un dopo sbornia che in effetti che Alex
Sep 07, 2010
Shmerica
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jul 09, 2011
Steven
rated it:
Of all of Ms. Smith's books, "The Autograph Man," her second novel, garnered the most mixed reaction, which is why I read it last. I can certainly understand the disappointment for those critics and fans who awaited its arrival after her stunning debut, "White Teeth." Its tone, especially in the first half, is somber and claustrophobic, as the reader follows the protagonist, Alex Li-Tandem, through the aftermath of a drug-induced hangover as he prepares for the anniversary
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Feb 05, 2012
Vivl
rated it:
I picked up this book because I had a voucher to use up and the book shop had suggested that Zadie Smith is similar to Margaret Atwood. Well, apart from being female I'm not sure there's any connection, but I did really love this book. On glancing at the ratings given here on Goodreads, I have to confess I wasn't sure what I was in for - many readers seem to have been disappointed in The Autograph Man in comparison with White Teeth, and a good friend didn't like that book at all - but I loved th
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Sep 03, 2010
Elizabeth
rated it:
this is the second book from zadie smith. i've had it on my shelf for years and finally decided to read it.
i like smith's style of writing, but i felt this one was a big weak on plot.
the storyline is focused on the life of alex li-tandem. he collects autographs and there is one that alludes him: kitty alexander.
this story is a spiritual journey for alex. he is going to recite kaddish for his father that passed away when he was thirteen. in addition, he More...
i like smith's style of writing, but i felt this one was a big weak on plot.
the storyline is focused on the life of alex li-tandem. he collects autographs and there is one that alludes him: kitty alexander.
this story is a spiritual journey for alex. he is going to recite kaddish for his father that passed away when he was thirteen. in addition, he More...
Oct 08, 2009
Heyrebekah
rated it:
Yuck! Did not like! I am so disappointed, because I really loved White Teeth and On Beauty. I guess this book has some things in common with those, but none of the magic. It started out wonderfully, but quickly went downhill after the prologue. The characters are loathsome, the plot dull and annoying. Despite the title, I didn't really expect this to be *so* much about autograph collecting and old film stars. I can't really think of a topic more boring to me. Oh wait, maybe drug-addled k
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Apr 03, 2010
Amy
rated it:
I love Zadie Smith, and while I thought "White Teeth" was a much more accomplished book, I liked this one too. It is a smaller story. I liked the characters: the Jewish content was quite interesting to me and I like the details around the small groups of guys. I would have liked more about Alex's relationship with his father than just the prologue, as it were. We got a glimpse of how much Alex misses his father, every day, at the very end of the novel. But, again, I am somewhat disappo
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Nov 09, 2009
E
rated it:
The beginning of this book was so promising with the episode of
the trip to the wrestling match, Alex's Father's worrying about his
illness,and the meeting up with Joseph and his obnoxious father.
Then Alex's Father dies and the whole thing goes down hill.
Alex and his friends were much more engaging and interesting in
the short time we saw them as young teenagers than as adults.
I tried to have some sympathy for poor Alex who lost his father
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Jan 29, 2011
Tancredi
rated it:
Da Wikipedia, definizione di realismo isterico: un genere letterario caratterizzato da lunghezza cronica, personaggi maniacali e frequenti digressioni su argomenti secondari rispetto alla storia.
Questa è Zadie Smith.
Tre stelle soltanto perché non posso dire che la Smith scrive male, ha un suo stile, anche se non incontra il mio gusto, e per certe digressioni e storielle secondarie. La terza stelletta praticamente per la sola storiella del Papa e del Rabbino.
E niente di più. More...
Questa è Zadie Smith.
Tre stelle soltanto perché non posso dire che la Smith scrive male, ha un suo stile, anche se non incontra il mio gusto, e per certe digressioni e storielle secondarie. La terza stelletta praticamente per la sola storiella del Papa e del Rabbino.
E niente di più. More...
Aug 01, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
The book was an interesting mix of a 'hi-jinx' kind of plot (quest to meet an old reclusive movie star) with a dark mood and some serious exploration of celebrity, religion and faith. Yes, that is an odd mix. Kabbalah was involved, as was mainstream Judaism, drug use, infidelity, and e-bay. The main character, with his inability to commit to anything in life (his girlfriend, his friends, the peculiar book he has been writing for years) is gloomy and unlikeable, but I really wanted to see what
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Jul 17, 2007
Pamela
rated it:
I started this book with a good deal of skepticism. I consider White Teeth to be among my most favorite books, but the first 50 pages of The Autograph Man failed to live up to the previous book's standard. Happily, by the end of the book, I had fallen back in love with Zadie Smith's writing. She wins again!
My friend called The Autograph Man a "light comic caper." The plot of this book would seem to agree: Alex Li-Tandem gallivants across the Atlantic chasing down the More...
My friend called The Autograph Man a "light comic caper." The plot of this book would seem to agree: Alex Li-Tandem gallivants across the Atlantic chasing down the More...
Jul 09, 2007
Nitya
rated it:
I recommend White Teeth to everyone who ever asks me about my intercultural experiences and my overt antagonism towards people who belittle me by calling me "a foreigner". So I was excited to read The Autograph Man, hoping that it would give me an insight into another section of the world, one that I had less contact and experience with. And in many ways, I suppose it did. But I can't say that I came out of the read with better understanding other than perhaps distress at how incompreh
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Jun 18, 2011
David
rated it:
I was with this book the whole way, but found the ending (in which all the main characters are left basically unchanged despite the cataclysmic plot devices) profoundly unsatisfying. Of course, I feel the same way about Candide so take that with a grain of salt. In any case, Smith has a wonderful eye for detail (the section about Greenpoint, Brooklyn, presents in two pages everything I'd noticed living in the neighborhood for several years) and dialogue, and there are lots of worthwhile nuggets
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Sep 18, 2009
Mel
rated it:
I enjoyed this book for one very simple reason - the middling middle class adolescent adult who lives on the periphery of fame, whose life as a late 20s adult hasn't changed much since he was a teen. I avoided reading the reviews of this book as it seems that's the very reason most people dislike the book. Too predictable. I happen to think it's a very real experience for many Gen-Xers.
And kudos to Smith for presenting a multicultural cast of characters who defy and play with stereo
And kudos to Smith for presenting a multicultural cast of characters who defy and play with stereo
Jul 26, 2009
Holly
rated it:
Alex-Li Tandem is a man who has essentially remained in stasis since the day his father died when he was twelve. He dreams of completing a book forever in progress, dividing everything into things goyish and things Jewish. He buys, sells, and trades autographs, though the one autograph that he dreams of, that of 40s starlet Kitty Alexander, remains out of his reach. But when he meets Kitty, it triggers a recognition of who he is, and, more importantly, who he wants to be.
Jun 30, 2010
Debbie
rated it:
White Teeth is certainly the better book, but this one has its charms.
The first chapter (which I read long ago in The New Yorker) is, alas, the most polished part of the book, as it showcases Smith's uncanny ear for dialogue and group dynamics.
The rest of the book seemed a bit under-thought out and under-edited, but still it had enough interesting details to keep me entertained .
The first chapter (which I read long ago in The New Yorker) is, alas, the most polished part of the book, as it showcases Smith's uncanny ear for dialogue and group dynamics.
The rest of the book seemed a bit under-thought out and under-edited, but still it had enough interesting details to keep me entertained .
Mar 27, 2009
Bieiris
rated it:
Me da pena valorar este libro. La tal Zadie escribe que es una delicia, pero la historia es bastante más tediosa de lo que prometía en un primer momento y los personajes son todos planos, excepto un par de secundarios. El protagonista, repelente a más no poder. Y también me han fastidiado las charlas sobre la Cábala en plan coña del pseudo intelectual de la novela. Un fracaso, me temo.
