Reviews

The Embassy of Cambodia by Zadie Smith

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emjay2021's review

5.0

This is a miniature gem. By miniature I mean it is 69 pages long; I read it in the 40 minutes I was waiting in the public library for my meeting to begin. Smith's language is precise, calm, measured; the story is completely self contained. It is just that bit more than a short story.

giuliabrav_oh's review

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4.0

Gripping

efuaesaba's review

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4.0

I didn't know I could be blown away by such a short book.

It's only 60-odd pages but it's a very unique slice of life. Fatou is so sensible and down-to-earth, yet living a life that's extraordinary to most of us. It's sad without being tragic because it's so realistic and ordinary. I was very close to buying everyone I knew a copy for Christmas!

Definitely need to read more of Zadie Smith's work

kimuchi's review

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5.0

So short yet completely wonderful!

ricksilva's review against another edition

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emotional reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Fatou, an immigrant to London from the Ivory Coast, finds a bit of solace from her housekeeping job in using her employer's guest passes to the local swimming pool. The pool is located next to the Embassy of Cambodia, with its ongoing badminton game the only sign of activity visible over its walls.

This short story does a lot with a relatively simply plot and its two main characters. The author makes great use of small details to provide depth, and to echo the inescapable thoughts of genocide that the local residents bring to mind as they contemplate the Embassy.

Content Warnings