In 'Grand Union' Zadie Smith serves up a provocative, deeply humanistic collection of stories.
The truest measure of a writer may be the quality of her incidental work. Just look at Zadie Smith. Since her 2000 debut “White Teeth,” she has been regarded primarily as a novelist: exuberant and incisive, evoking both the characters and the community of Northwest London, where she was born and raised.
Smith acknowledges this throughout the collection but particularly in her experiments with form. “Parents’ Morning Epiphany” takes a grade school “Narrative Techniques Worksheet” and uses it to raise pointed questions about the contrivances of storytelling.
But Smith turns our knowingness around on us by ending the story in a way that is both specific and unpredictable, as in the aftermath the men’s identities are erased. “He wanted me to know his name!” cries a girl who has been assaulted, but before she can say what it is, she is shut down by the wife of the village chief. The inference is that the act of naming can cut both ways, that in identifying those who brutalize us, we not only expose them but also, paradoxically, increase their power.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Crisis Aftermath’ Talk Show Enlists Kevin Smith For Post-‘Crisis On Infinite Earths’ BreakdownsThere will be a lot to unpack when the Crisis On Infinite Earths series takes over the Arrowverse in a major crossover event. But who better than a comic book guy to explain? Crisis Aftermath is a …
Read more »
Sam Smith says they might not tour again because they miss their family so muchSam says that they find going on tour mentally very strenuous and they have an on-road therapist to deal with the pressures
Read more »
Sheridan Smith excitedly announces gender of her first childThe actress, who is expecting her first child with fiancé Jamie Horn, told the world they've got a little boy on the way
Read more »
Dickinson Creator Alena Smith On Why Billie Eilish Is Our Modern Emily DickinsonWe talked to Dickinson creator and showrunner internetalena about Emily Dickinson, why teens are vibing with the 1850s, and billieeilish
Read more »
Diesel's New Book Explores the Life-Affirming Power of a Good Pair of Jeans“We’ve continued with that energy and that fearlessness through to the present. Diesel is an attitude, and it always will be.”
Read more »