Reviews tagging 'Classism'

The Fraud by Zadie Smith

7 reviews

stellahadz's review against another edition

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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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seanamcphie's review against another edition

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funny informative mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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nialiversuch's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny informative reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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bessadams's review against another edition

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challenging funny informative reflective medium-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

3.75

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serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 There are two key characters at the centre of The Fraud, a novel set in 19th century London. Eliza Touchet was abandoned by her husband who took their son and left her penniless. She was taken in by her brother-in-law, English novelist William Ainsworth, and employed as a housekeeper. The other key character is Andrew Bogle, a formerly enslaved man. Eliza accompanies Ainsworth’s wife to watch the case of the Tichborne claimant. Sir Roger Tichborne was thought to have drowned in a shipwreck, but a man claiming to be him appears and lays claim to the family fortune. Andrew Bogel had worked for the Tichborne family for many years and testifies in favour of the claimant. Eliza is taken with Andrew Bogel, recognising some of herself in him. The plot has got a lot more going on than this brief summary indicates, including Eliza having relationships with both Ainsworth and his first wife. Several aspects of this novel appealed to me. The first was its social critique especially with regards to race, gender and class. There’s lots of depth and intersectionality in the way these issues are explored, but the messaging is not heavy handed. There’s also some interesting exploration of slavery, the sugar trade, and the complicated and not always accurate ways many English people viewed Jamaica. A second aspect was the humour especially when it came to literature, both Eliza’s assessment of Ainsworth’s novels and his jealousy as his literary stocks fell while those of Charles Dickens rose. Some delicious fun is poked at Dickens along the way. I also liked that this story drew my attention to real people and events such as the Tichborne case that had previously flown under my radar.

This is Zadie Smith’s first foray into historical fiction and I found it more accessible than her previous novels I’ve read. I have read reviews where readers who have loved her previous works lament the loss of originality and zaniness in this book. As always tastes differ. It is not a short book but the short chapters made it read quickly as did Smith’s trademark snappy dialogue.

Many thanks to @penguinbooksnz for the complimentary review copy. 
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kirstym25's review

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challenging informative medium-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

2.5

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natalieba's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny informative reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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