Book of the Year 2023 according to New York Times, New Yorker, Guardian, Economist, Observer, The Spectator, Financial Times, Vogue, The Times, The Oldie, i Paper, The Standard, Washington Post, Independent, Daily Express SHORTLISTED FOR WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 SHORTLISTED FOR THE WRITERS' PRIZE FOR FICTION 2024 ONE OF SARAH JESSICA PARKER'S BEST BOOKS OF 2023 LONGLISTED FOR THE WALTER SCOTT PRIZE FOR HISTORICAL FICTION 2024 'A writer at the peak of her powers' The Telegraph Truth and fiction. Jamaica and Britain. Who gets to tell their story? In her first historical novel, Zadie Smith transports the reader to a Victorian England transfixed by the real-life trial of the Tichborne Claimant, in which a cockney butcher, recently returned from Australia, lays claim to the Tichborne baronetcy, with his former slave Andrew Bogle as star witness. Watching the proceedings, and with her own story to tell, is Eliza Touchet - cousin, housekeeper and perhaps more - to failing novelist William Harrison Ainsworth. From literary London to the Jamaica's sugar-cane plantations, Zadie Smith weaves an enthralling story linking the rich and the poor, the free and the enslaved, and the comic and the tragic. 'It's difficult to give any idea of how extraordinary this book is. One of the great historical novels, certainly. But has any historical novel ever combined such brilliantly researched and detailed history with such intensely imagined fiction?' Michael Frayn 'As always it is a pleasure to be in Zadie Smith's mind . . . Dickens may be dead, but Smith, thankfully, is alive' New York Times 'Zadie Smith's Victorian-set masterpiece holds a mirror up to Britain . . . The Fraud is the genuine article' Independent 'Smith's dazzling historical novel combines deft writing and strenuous construction in a tale of literary London and the horrors of slavery' Guardian
Zadie Smith
Zadie Smith is a British author known for her insightful exploration of race, identity, and culture. Her most notable works include "White Teeth," "On Beauty," and "Swing Time." Smith's writing style is characterized by sharp wit, keen observation, and complex characters that reflect the complexities of modern society. She has made significant contributions to contemporary literature by challenging conventional narratives and pushing boundaries in terms of form and content. "White Teeth," her debut novel, is widely regarded as a modern classic and showcases Smith's talent for blending humor, social commentary, and poignant storytelling. Smith's impact on the literary genre can be seen in her ability to capture the nuances of human experience and provoke thought on important social issues.
Other related
The Atlas Complex
The devastating conclusion to the story that started with The Atlas Six - now an international bestseller
