Read Women discussion

This is our thread for our discovery of Zadie Smith, our second author selected for this year to read and discuss. We'll plan to start mid-July and focus August, September and mid-October reading one or more of Smith's books. Let's use this thread as our planning and discussion of Smith and repeating themes, and then, as soon as 2+ members begin to read one of her books, we'll open new, separate threads dedicated to that book.

Smith's books, in order of publication:

White Teeth (2000) - novel
The Autograph Man (2002) - novel
Martha and Hanwell (2003) - SS collection
On Beauty(2005) - novel
Changing My Mind: Occasional Essays (2009) - NF
NW (2012) - novel
The The Embassy of Cambodia (2013) - short story/novella
Swing Time (2016) - novel
Zadie Smith(2018) - NF
Grand Union (2019) - SS collection
Intimations (2020) - NF
The Wife of Willesden (2023) - a dramatization of Chaucer's Wife of Bath

There's something for everyone - novels, essay collections, short story collections, nonfiction. I am really excited about reading and discussing Smith's works because I've never read her and am a wee bit intimidated. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's favorite books, too.

Which book are you planning to read first? If you've already read her and have recommendations, feel free to share them here.

On Zadie Smith - interviews, profiles and the like.

A 2023 Waterstones podcast (no video) focused on The Fraud, but covers so much ground. (40 mns) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8HuP...

A 2023 transcript of an interview with her friend, musician Dev Hynes, also as part of The Fraud's release cycle: https://www.interviewmagazine.com/cul...

An essay Smith published in The New Yorker, On Killing Charles Dickens" https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/20...

A 2017 interview of Smith by Synne Rifbjerg at the Louisiana Literature festival in Denmark, entitled, Such Painful Knowledge. Focused on Swing Time. She reads an excerpt early on. (48:33) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NWku...

Bio: https://literature.britishcouncil.org...
Awards
2017 Langston Hughes Medal
2017 Man Booker Prize (longlist)
2013 Women's Prize for Fiction (shortlist)
2006 Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize
2006 British Book Awards Decibel Writer of the Year
2006 Commonwealth Writers Prize (Eurasia Region, Best Book)
2006 Orange Prize for Fiction
2006 Somerset Maugham Award
2005 Man Booker Prize for Fiction (shortlist)
2003 Jewish Quarterly Literary Prize for Fiction
2003 Orange Prize for Fiction (shortlist)
2003 Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award
2001 Authors' Club First Novel Award
2001 Commonwealth Writers Prize (Overall Winner, Best First Book)
2001 Orange Prize for Fiction (shortlist)
2001 WH Smith Award for Best New Talent
2000 EMMA (BT Ethnic and Multicultural Media Award) for Best Book/Novel
2000 EMMA (BT Ethnic and Multicultural Media Award) for Best Female Media Newcomer
2000 Guardian First Book Award
2000 James Tait Black Memorial Prize (for fiction)
2000 Mail on Sunday/John Llewellyn Rhys Prize (shortlist)
2000 Whitbread First Novel Award

I plan to read On Beauty this year. I guess I'm reading it between August an October 😎

I am still debating which to try first, but it will be one of the following:

Print: Swing Street or Feel Free or Intimations
Audio: Feel Free or Intimations
Kindle: Feel Free is on sale for $8.99

I mostly listened to her COVID essay collection, Intimations last week and recommend it. (I checked it out of the library, but listened to 85% of it in my car.) The audio is narrated by Zadie Smith and I loved having my first experience of her writing be in her own voice and her own emphasis. It's also quite short, so super accessible and quick to consume. It was a 5* read for me from start to finish.

One aspect of Intimations that works spectacularly well is the organization of the essays, and how they draw you in as a reader and how and when they deliver punches. As I first learned from American Idol back in the day, the first and last essays must be especially strong but in different ways. Peonies, the initial essay, is perfectly organized and compelling. It draws you in to what you think is a lightweight topic, and then begins to twist and turn in to deeper concepts. The final essay is one blockbuster point after another, leaving you exhausted with its brilliance.

I'm fully aware that my love of this collection is at odds with many reviews, some of which imply she phoned this one in; they're simply wrong : )

I think I'm tackling Feel Free less, but I may switch impulsively to On Beauty or Swing Street at the last moment.

Carol wrote: "I mostly listened to her COVID essay collection, Intimations last week and recommend it. (I checked it out of the library, but listened to 85% of it in my car.) The audio is narrate..."

Excellent, my library has this on audio and I've just reserved it. It will be my first experience of this author also :)

I'm also considering trying white teeth although I'm not sure it will be for me. Does anyone have a print vs audio recommendation?

I’ve read NW and had some issues with it. From what I recall, I felt like I did not “get” it. At least not the parts that were supposed to be humorous. I noted in my review that it was tragic.
White Teeth was a better read as I gave it 3 stars.
On Beauty is on my physical shelf so I will join in with that.

I have Swing Time and On Beauty and just now purchased the audible version of Intimations, based on Carol's rec above. (Audible has it for less than $5.00). I'm going to start with Intimations and then go from there.

I started Feel Free: Essays yesterday and have decided that Zadie Smith is my new favorite author. I enjoy her sense of humor tremendously and it serves to leaven her timely, serious observations and, perhaps, inoculate her from the perception of being a scold or too intense or simply part of a crowded field of smart, women, literary essayists.

From this morning's round-trip to my fave coffee place:

I valued this little school especially, symbolically, as a mixed institution in which the children of the relatively rich and the poor, the children of Muslis, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Protestants, Catholics, atheists, Marxists and the kind of people who are religious about Pilates, are all educated together in the same rooms, play together in the same playground, speak about their faiths - or lack of them - to each other, while I walk by and often look in, and thus receive a vital symbolic reassurance that the world of my own childhood has not yet completely disappeared.

Without the "people who are religious about Pilates" clause, the entire sentence becomes 150% earnest and similar to a couple of dozen forgettable sentences I've read before. With it, wit + thoughtfulness + self-awareness combine to equal art.

This collection was written between 2008 and 2018 or so, but it's not dated - at least that's my view on page 31 : )

I just finished Intimations. I listened to the audio read by the author as Carol recommended and I thought it was mostly very good. Here's a link to my review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Carol wrote: "Without the "people who are religious about Pilates" clause, the entire sentence becomes 150% earnest and similar to a couple of dozen forgettable sentences I've read before. With it, wit + thoughtfulness + self-awareness combine to equal art."

I agree that this wit, thoughtfulness and self awareness is what makes the author's essays unique, funny and enjoyable. Are you listening to this one too?

I really enjoyed On Beauty partly because it's a rewrite of E. M. Forster's state-of-the-nation novel Howards End but updated to then-contemporary America and from the perspective of a Black American family.

Based on the comments here, I listened to Intimations, my first ever Zadie Smith. I loved it. To me it was much more than a "COVID book". It gave me a great sense of her life, her thoughts, in general. The only time that the COVID piece struck me hard was when the elderly neighbor was talking to her about keeping everyone in the building safe yet Zadie's family was packing to leave. These essays did make me want to read more of her.

There were a number of lines that I couldn't help but think "Oh, I wish I had the book so I could highlight that or reread that!" And since the print book meets all the criteria for my "For the Home" shelf, I will likely get one.

Did you know that Zadie Smith and her husband, the poet Nick Laird, wrote a children's book? Weirdo. At only 32 pages, it "tells the story of a guinea pig named Maud who summons the courage to embrace her personality."

Gail W wrote: "Did you know that Zadie Smith and her husband, the poet Nick Laird, wrote a children's book? Weirdo. At only 32 pages, it "tells the story of a guinea pig named Maud who summons the..."

Think I've seen it around when buying books for relatives/friends' kids. I tend to swerve anything that features caged animals, as may lead to children wanting them. Here, unlike other countries in Europe, there's no minimum, legally-required cage size etc for animals like hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils etc And they also fall under the category of pet that tends to be treated as a disposable. See the plotline for this is about gifting a living creature as a birthday present, depressing disregard for animal welfare!

Alwynne, thank you for pointing that out.

Ozsaur wrote: "Alwynne, thank you for pointing that out."

I'm just a diehard killjoy!!

I agree with your opinion on caged animals alwynne, I probably wouldn't have been brave enough to point it out though! I admire you for this ability

I bought Weirdo by Zadie Smith for a great-niece as part of her birthday present. As I always do, I read the book before I will give it to her (she's 1) because her parents will have to read it as well.

It is a short book and absolutely delightful. This is the first book for the illustrator and they are quite good, illustrations that a child could grow with.

Before going to school, young Kit is given a surprise present for her birthday, a little guinea pig, dressed in a judo suit, nestled in matting in a box (with no lid). Kit already has a cat, an old pug (who wears glasses and can't hear very well), and a bird. Nary a cage, crate, or enclosure in sight. The story surrounds Surprise/Weirdo/Maud's (the little guinea pig's series of names in the book) initial meeting with the other animals, who are not used to having someone new or different from each of them to a slight "oops" when she tries to make herself be like one or all of them, to meeting another "weirdo" (this time a human), and then finally getting to be greeted by Kit when she gets home from school. It is a heartwarming little story.

My only issue with it is the name "Weirdo". Kids are going to use it, I know, since time immemorial. I'd just rather not be the one to introduce her to it. But since this is the child's grandmother's favorite word (especially for me - she's not a reader), I thought it would be funny.

Gail,

Kudos to you for buying life informing books for your relatives. I think buying books for family and friends, young or old is terrific and as you intimated - choosing books for young people about accepting themselves and people/animals who are different is a great way to start life.

As an aside, Weird or Weirdo has become my new favourite word since the U.S. election has recently ramped up :)....and I'm not from the U.S. As a neighbour however am very much interested in the outcome, I am following everything closely.

I have always bought books for relatives and read them first (usually in the store if it's a new children's book and not in the library yet, before I purchased my choice for cash.

I think the story theme of the book you chose sounds terrific for a one year old and it will give her a chance to learn the names of all the animals in the book. She and her parents should have lots of fun thanks to you. And you'll probably enjoy reading it to her yourself.

I started White Teeth Saturday on a flight and love it. I went into knowing zero about the plot or structure and am delighted that Smith has given me a straightforward, single timeline (boo! on dual timelines - I'm burnt out on them right now) chronologically presented story with 4 fully developed characters whose choices make sense in context. And her dialogue rings true. I'm around page 70 and looking forward to continuing.

Carol wrote: "I started White Teeth am delighted that Smith has given me a straightforward, single timeline ..."

Sounds like a good start to a great read. I don't think there's anything better when we're on holidays or with family - a great well-written but uncomplicated book that's easy to read and to put down and pick up again when the visiting starts and ends
- because visiting is much of what holidays are about.

I was following your comments last summer in another thread when your husband was in great pain during the holidays and having MRi's etc. scheduled for diagnosis. If is missed it I'm sorry, but I was wondering how he/she was doing today and if you're able to enjoy a less stressful, more joyful 2024 summer.

Ohh just checking in here and happy to review the original post and and see our Zadie reading goes through mid-October. I thought it was September. Summer got chaotic recently and my reading is affected. But maybe I'll still manage to get to White Teeth before the challenge ends. And that's fitting for UK Black History Month. Yay. And glad to see your initial thoughts on the book, Carol.

Mj wrote: "Carol wrote: "I started White Teeth am delighted that Smith has given me a straightforward, single timeline ..."

Sounds like a good start to a great read. I don't think there's anythin..."

Mj, I really appreciate your remembering and asking. You’re a treasure. He is in remission which is pretty damned amazing and news that’s less than a month old. The last couple years of treatment have taken a pretty big toll and he’s working through weakness, ongoing pulmonary issues and more, but given his diagnoses, he couldn’t be more happy. So, yes, on both fronts; it’s a far less stressful summer than the last two and happier. A couple of other things have interfered with getting to joyful, but that’s a goal in sight.

Carol wrote "Mj, I really appreciate your remembering and asking."

Am so happy for you and your family to read this good news. And am glad to hear the prognosis is so positive and both you and your partner are both pleased about what the future holds. Life sure does throw us unexpected curves....and reminds us to live each day to its fullest.

Take care of yourself, your partner and family. :)

Hannah wrote: "I agree with your opinion on caged animals alwynne, I probably wouldn't have been brave enough to point it out though! I admire you for this ability"

Thanks Hannah!!!

Gail W wrote: "Nary a cage, crate, or enclosure in sight."

I predict one happy cat and a small saving on cat treats!

Alwynne wrote: "I really enjoyed On Beauty partly because it's a rewrite of E. M. Forster's state-of-the-nation novel Howards End but updated to then-contemporary America and from the p..."
I just finished On Beauty and really enjoyed it. I think I will pick up Howards End.

Thinking of changing my Zadie Smith plans. I am leaning toward Swing Time and hopefully starting early October if anyone wants to read along.

Jen wrote: "Thinking of changing my Zadie Smith plans. I am leaning toward Swing Time and hopefully starting early October if anyone wants to read along."

I’d love to buddy read Swing Time, Jen.

Carol wrote: "Jen wrote: "Thinking of changing my Zadie Smith plans. I am leaning toward Swing Time and hopefully starting early October if anyone wants to read along."

I’d love to buddy read Sw..."

Oh word! Actually I'm starting it sooner. Now pretty much. I started reading a sample and am enjoying her writing! (My first Zadie Smith.) My end of Sept reading plan fell through cuz my Allende book didn't arrive before I left town, so I get to start this one sooner than planned.

Jen wrote: "Carol wrote: "Jen wrote: "Thinking of changing my Zadie Smith plans. I am leaning toward Swing Time and hopefully starting early October if anyone wants to read along."

I’d love to..."

Sounds good. I'll set up a SwingTime thread now and we can populate as we go and have thoughts.

I loved Swing Time - check out our discussion thread and add your comments any time.

I also read Grand Union, Smith's 2019 short story collection last week and it gave me whiplash. The first several stories - between pages 1 and 100 - were some of the most compelling, enjoyable, interesting short stories I've ever read. From 100 on, there were almost unreadable. Too long, not focused, uninteresting. I highly recommend the first half of this book. I have no explanation for how the same author - an author whose writing style I've adored in every other book - wrote both "halves".

I picked up a used copy of On Beauty last weekend and that'll be my next.

Has anyone read or heard anything from trusted reading friends about Wife of Willesden? It's not in my library, so I'd have to buy it and no doubt ship it from the UK. Doing that without hearing from friends seems imprudent.