NW in Around the World in 80 Books

Apr 14, 2013 Greer rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2013-books

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I'd describe this book as a glorious mess. There are flashes of pure brilliance, but somehow the whole is less then the sum of its parts. I give Smith credit for making me think while I was reading, and continue to ponder long after I'd put the book down. Smith excels at capturing the way Western society often views poverty as a character flaw.

Smith mines fertile terrain examining how much outcomes and identity are related to self-determination ("I am the sole author of the dictionary that defi I'd describe this book as a glorious mess. There are flashes of pure brilliance, but somehow the whole is less then the sum of its parts. I give Smith credit for making me think while I was reading, and continue to ponder long after I'd put the book down. Smith excels at capturing the way Western society often views poverty as a character flaw.

Smith mines fertile terrain examining how much outcomes and identity are related to self-determination ("I am the sole author of the dictionary that defines me") vs. outside forces (environment, family,social status, ethnicity). To her credit, no easy answer emerges in the end.

The middle part of the book regarding Felix seems somewhat out of place, whereas the Leah and Natalie sections form thought-provoking counterpoints regarding the stories people tell themselves and each other. Leah has failed to establish a clear identity ("While she was becoming, everyone grew up and became."). This is reflected in her pointless stories ("Natalie noticed with anxiety that Leah's stories had no special emphasis or intention.") Leah's fear of motherhood may be based in the desire to avoid being pinned down into a defined role. Whereas Natalie struggles with too many rigidly defined identities ("Daughter drag. Sister drag. Mother drag. Wife drag. Court drag. Rich drag. Poor drag. British drag. Jamaican drag"). Natalie's stories always have the point of portraying herself in a certain light. Ironically, Natalie and Leah are painfully aware of their own complexities but define each other (and their husbands) more simplistically.

The ending felt abrupt, but I think I understand Smith's intention. Natalie and Leah have a moment where they can stop telling stories and be honest with each other. However, they reject this in favor of weaving a new story together -- a story about how they once knew a sweet boy named Nathan who turned out bad and murdered someone, and they had to do the right thing and turn him in. The story they create fails to capture their own complexity or that of Nathan.

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Mar 03, 2013 Kent Winward rated it really liked it

I enjoy Zadie Smith's writing. I enjoy her playing with the language and narrative structure. She certainly captures the feel and the atmosphere of NW London. I think the disappointment I had was a general one I often have with current fiction -- that a muddled ending is somehow profound.

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Oct 25, 2012 Annie rated it it was ok

Technically interesting (especially her version of stream-of-consciousness narrative and the echoes of Virginia Woolf), but emotionally lacking. I could just not engage with the stories, the place, or the characters... and that's a problem. Wish I could have liked it more. ...more

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Oct 21, 2013 Lisa of Hopewell rated it liked it

Shelves: audio-books, read-in-2013, npr-books-of-the-year

The first part was excellent--I felt it really gave an accurate sense of life in that part of London. The second part grew annoying, very quickly. It was as though the author had "tweeted" the rest of her book. Then end was unsatisfying.

In spite of this, the author does have amazing talent. She has a sure grasp of her characters' voices. I will try more of her books. This was the audio version and the read was excellent. ...more

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