Play Book Tag discussion

The protagonist in Swing Time is never named. In the prologue we learn that she’s been dismissed from a high profile job in disgrace. That worked as a hook for a little bit. The first half of the book is devoted to her friendship with Tracey as the two girls grow up in a working class neighborhood of north London. We also learn a bit about her fraught relationship with her Jamaican mother who constantly strives to improve herself intellectually and her East End father, who does not. About half way through the book (well past where I would have quit if I hadn’t made a commitment to read this) the protagonist finds herself working for a celebrity singer/dancer. At that point the book veers off into descriptions of life as the assistant of a silly celebrity and her ill-considered high-profile project to save village girls in The Gambia. The radicalization of Gambian youths is also thrown in. Scattered around are a few unexpected and pointless sexual liaisons. No groundwork was laid that would explain any attraction.

I’m having a hard time describing what the book is about because I’m not sure what the point of it was. The author touches on a number of topics that interest me but none of them was ever developed. I didn’t connect with or care about any of the characters. The friendship with Tracey was the thread that seemed to run through the whole book but I honestly couldn’t tell if Tracey suffered from mental illness or had simply rejected the protagonist, as I was inclined to do myself.

I don’t like to write such a negative review. This author and her books are often acclaimed but I think I must accept that they’re not for me. Perhaps others will like it.
Swing Time

A few years ago I heard Zadie Smith's name everywhere and decided to give her books a try with Swing Time. I too, struggled with an intense dislike to the protagonist and the haphazard manner the various themes were thrown together. Glad to see I'm not the only one as this book often gets rave reviews.

Ouch! I haven't liked any of the Zadie Smith novels I have read, either. I've read On Beauty and NW. I've always felt like I'm missing something. I might try On Beauty again at some stage as I read it when it was first released and perhaps my twenty something self just didn't get it?

LOL Thanks for taking one for the team! Now I know to avoid her books!

Susie wrote: "Ouch! I haven't liked any of the Zadie Smith novels I have read, either. I've read On Beauty and NW. I've always felt like I'm missing something. I might try On Beauty again at some stage as I read..."

On Beauty wasn’t as good as advertised!

I was not able to finish reading "Swing Time", myself. I was interested in your review. Thanks!

Ah, I feel so relieved - I've always steered away from Smith's books, but wondered why, as there is normally so much popular and critical acclaim surrounding them. I think I would have similar thoughts, if I read 'Swing Time'!

I’m a little surprised at so much agreement – but I’m human, so admit it’s also gratifying. I should have made clear that I believe Smith herself was poking fun at the “silly celebrity” and her ill-conceived project, so we were of one mind on that. It was a question of too many themes jumbled together for me. But Smith does receive praise so maybe someone who liked the book will tell us what they enjoyed.

I read this book two years ago and I completely agree with you. In my review I also wrote that I had no idea what the point of the book is. I'm definitely not in a hurry to pick up any more books by Zadie Smith.

It's so interesting, because I even own one of Smith's books, but all I hear is pretty negative, so I've never been motivated enough to read it.

I'm not going to start now.

I am reading one of her books now, White Teeth for this tag. So far, I am enjoying it more than I did Swing Time, but I'm not too far in, so we will see.

Tracy wrote: "Susie wrote: "Ouch! I haven't liked any of the Zadie Smith novels I have read, either. I've read On Beauty and NW. I've always felt like I'm missing something. I might try On Beauty again at some s..."

So I shouldn't revisit?