Reviews with content warning for Child death - The Fraud

Reviews tagging 'Child death'

The Fraud by Zadie Smith

7 reviews

stellahadz's review against another edition

funny reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

This one took me a while to finish, partly because I had to put it down so I could finish other books that were coming due at the library, and partly because it is just a very slow-paced book, more so than I usually like. It took about 300 pages to get to what I thought was the more interesting part of the story (the chapters that focused more on Bogle and his experiences leading up to the trial), and the different characters' stories felt disjointed to me. I feel like Smith wanted to write a book about the Tichborne trial and a book about William Harrison Ainsworth and eventually decided to blend them into one story. Usually she writes these intertwined stories beautifully (I will never shut up about White Teeth being one of my favorite books ever), but this one didn't work for me. It probably doesn't help that I'm not a big historical fiction fan in general either, but overall this book wasn't my favorite. I did appreciate Smith's signature wit, subtle humor, and social/political commentary, though. It might be a book I have to reread in order to appreciate, so in that sense I am glad that I own the copy I read.

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anniesher23's review

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challenging dark funny reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Smith is such a wonderful character-builder and storyteller. She always picks the most unexpected and creative plots, and this was no exception. I found this book fascinating, informative, and thought provoking. Eliza Touchet was a great character - I found her self-reflection and imperfect activism to be so realistic and timeless.

It was a little hard to follow via audiobook, especially because I kept having to stop for a few weeks while I waited to borrow again.

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miaaa_lenaaa's review

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mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I really dont know how to rate this? I didnt really gel with it but that is purely cause i think i wasnt paying enough attention at the start and missed something important, so it was good and well written, but would i say that i am confident in my understanding of the plot?
No, no i would not.

‘The world was sunk in madness. It covered everything like weather.’

‘Who can give to me what was never theirs to possess?’

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