WINNER OF THE COSTA NOVEL OF THE YEAR SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE SHORTLISTED FOR THE SALTIRE AWARD 'Joyous' The Times The Accidental pans in on the Norfolk holiday home of the Smart family one hot summer. There a beguiling stranger called Amber appears at the door bearing all sorts of unexpected gifts, trampling over family boundaries and sending each of the Smarts scurrying from the dark into the light. A novel about the ways that seemingly chance encounters irrevocably transform our understanding of ourselves, The Accidental explores the nature of truth, the role of fate and the power of storytelling. * 'Brilliant and engaging, frequently hilarious. . . Smith makes one look at the world afresh' Sunday Telegraph 'Funny, sexy, poignant, bewitching' Observer 'A beguiling page-turner . . . To read The Accidental is to be excited from first to last' Independent
Ali Smith
Ali Smith is a Scottish author known for her innovative and experimental writing style. She is best known for her seasonal quartet of novels, which includes "Autumn," "Winter," "Spring," and "Summer." Smith's works often blend genres and incorporate elements of postmodernism, feminism, and social commentary. She has been praised for her lyrical prose, sharp wit, and ability to capture the complexities of contemporary life. Smith's contributions to literature have earned her numerous awards and accolades, solidifying her reputation as one of the most important voices in contemporary fiction. Her most famous work is often considered to be "How to be Both," which won the 2015 Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.