Thanks Grace, this had somehow passed me by! A very interesting read, though, ouch!! A bit too scathing. I don't think I had intellectualised my reasons for not liking it as much as this writer has (I just found the plot and characters dull), though I do think the characters feel like they're kind of cos-playing Victorian novel characters rather than truly feeling real. What did you think? (I will try and hunt out the Twitter beef now...)
Also, beyond Zadie, this sentence struck me about novel writing in general: 'So many debut novels maroon us in the minds of characters who sound suspiciously like novelists'
The general reaction was much the same as yours I think—too scathing!! I haven't read The Fraud yet but I think not loving it because it's just a bit boring is perfectly legit. And lol yes about the novelist mind comment! I do think the best books transcend that, although I have to admit I haven't had the fortune of spending too much time in the company of novelists so I'm not especially privy to their inner thoughts
Did you see this somewhat-scathing Vulture review of Zadie Smith's book? It caused a ruckus on Twitter!! https://www.vulture.com/article/zadie-smith-the-fraud-review.html
Thanks Grace, this had somehow passed me by! A very interesting read, though, ouch!! A bit too scathing. I don't think I had intellectualised my reasons for not liking it as much as this writer has (I just found the plot and characters dull), though I do think the characters feel like they're kind of cos-playing Victorian novel characters rather than truly feeling real. What did you think? (I will try and hunt out the Twitter beef now...)
Also, beyond Zadie, this sentence struck me about novel writing in general: 'So many debut novels maroon us in the minds of characters who sound suspiciously like novelists'
The general reaction was much the same as yours I think—too scathing!! I haven't read The Fraud yet but I think not loving it because it's just a bit boring is perfectly legit. And lol yes about the novelist mind comment! I do think the best books transcend that, although I have to admit I haven't had the fortune of spending too much time in the company of novelists so I'm not especially privy to their inner thoughts