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anniesher23's review against another edition
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.
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.
Graphic: Racism and Slavery
Moderate: Child death and Sexism
bessadams's review against another edition
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
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Slavery, and Classism
Moderate: Child death, Violence, and Death of parent
serendipitysbooks's review
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.
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.
Graphic: Racism and Slavery
Moderate: Sexism and Classism
oz2021's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Slavery
Minor: Racial slurs, Sexism, and Death of parent
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