On Beauty - Zadie Smith

€uroMeinke · 11-30-2006, 08:57 AM

I just finished this book last night and really really enjoyed it. By the cover descriptions it not something I would have ever picked up, but when it got a Booker prize it got fast tracked in my queue.

At the highest level it's about two competeing academic families, one liberal, one conservative setting the stage to explore the current cultural wars. But what I really enjoyed about this book was there was so much depth beyond that original premise. It also explores the dynamics of family, self image, beliefs, what it means to be black, the alienation of politics, etc.

What I enjoyed most, was that Zadie Smith did a great job of capturing the internal lives of her main characters, thier intentions, hopes, desires, and frailties as well as their frustration in being able to express or even understand them.

The book takes some interesting twists and turns so I'll stop here before I create any spoilers and hope I at least spur some other readers into a future discussion.

Eliza Hodgkins 1812 · 11-30-2006, 12:23 PM

I may give it a chance in future, but her short story was one of the few I really disliked from a collection called Speaking With the Angel. I just didn't like her writing style at all.

Not Afraid · 01-20-2007, 06:50 PM

I just finished On Beauty and loved it! I read White Teeth last year and was not captivated by it at all. All this buzz about Zadie Smith and I wasn't getting it. After reading On Beauty, I understand the buzz.

The story was complex but plausible and wonderfully told. Each character was fully thought out and communicated - even the minor characters has lots of definition. My only qualm with the book was that it ended when and where it did. I wasn't ready for it to end and I thought that the point at which it did was a bit ackward. However, the rest of the book was so fulfilling, I wasn't too bothered by it.

I want Chris to read White Teeth now and see how it compares to him. maybe I was just having a readding ADD week when I read it.

Anyways, good read and I think it would make for a great discussion here on LoT if others want to read it.

lindyhop · 01-21-2007, 03:12 PM

I'm amazed how Zadie Smith who is only about 30 or so (and who was only 25 when she wrote White Teeth) can write about characters of all ages and get it so right. The older characters in On Beauty (that is, the characters who are my age) were spot on.

I actually liked White Teeth better but this one grew on me.

Stan4dSteph · 01-21-2007, 04:30 PM

The Stanford Book Salon did this book in November. There are some other resources at the webpage here, including a link to an interview with the author on NPR.

11-30-2006, 08:57 AM	#1
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,671	On Beauty - Zadie Smith I just finished this book last night and really really enjoyed it. By the cover descriptions it not something I would have ever picked up, but when it got a Booker prize it got fast tracked in my queue. At the highest level it's about two competeing academic families, one liberal, one conservative setting the stage to explore the current cultural wars. But what I really enjoyed about this book was there was so much depth beyond that original premise. It also explores the dynamics of family, self image, beliefs, what it means to be black, the alienation of politics, etc. What I enjoyed most, was that Zadie Smith did a great job of capturing the internal lives of her main characters, thier intentions, hopes, desires, and frailties as well as their frustration in being able to express or even understand them. The book takes some interesting twists and turns so I'll stop here before I create any spoilers and hope I at least spur some other readers into a future discussion. __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
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11-30-2006, 12:23 PM	#2
Eliza Hodgkins 1812 Sputnik Sweetheart Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Long Beach Posts: 2,685	I may give it a chance in future, but her short story was one of the few I really disliked from a collection called Speaking With the Angel. I just didn't like her writing style at all.
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01-20-2007, 06:50 PM	#3
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	I just finished On Beauty and loved it! I read White Teeth last year and was not captivated by it at all. All this buzz about Zadie Smith and I wasn't getting it. After reading On Beauty, I understand the buzz. The story was complex but plausible and wonderfully told. Each character was fully thought out and communicated - even the minor characters has lots of definition. My only qualm with the book was that it ended when and where it did. I wasn't ready for it to end and I thought that the point at which it did was a bit ackward. However, the rest of the book was so fulfilling, I wasn't too bothered by it. I want Chris to read White Teeth now and see how it compares to him. maybe I was just having a readding ADD week when I read it. Anyways, good read and I think it would make for a great discussion here on LoT if others want to read it.
	Submit to Quotes

01-21-2007, 03:12 PM	#4
lindyhop Swing Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Long Beach Posts: 997	I'm amazed how Zadie Smith who is only about 30 or so (and who was only 25 when she wrote White Teeth) can write about characters of all ages and get it so right. The older characters in On Beauty (that is, the characters who are my age) were spot on. I actually liked White Teeth better but this one grew on me. __________________ Hyperbole is the best thing ever!
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01-21-2007, 04:30 PM	#5
Stan4dSteph Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: East Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,156	The Stanford Book Salon did this book in November. There are some other resources at the webpage here, including a link to an interview with the author on NPR.
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