by Ali Smith
The strength of this novel, for me, is in the very tight point of view for each of the chapters, right down to the individual use of language by the characters whose train of thought we are following. For instance, in the chapter where we first meet Astrid and her reaction to the country village whe...
I love Ali Smith, and after reading How to Be Both and There but for the I wanted to explore more of her earlier work. The Accidental is stylistically perfect, but it left me a bit cold. The plot is simple: a family of four are holidaying in Norfolk, and during their stay a woman named Amber ap...
My second book by Ali Smith and her writing chimes with me. Good psychological observations and surprisingly believable absurdity.
Meh...it was a bit formulaic and a bit like the writer was trying too hard to be original. It was ok, but only just that.
I quite simply found it to be a waste of my time. An exercise, not a novel. Annoying characters, a thoroughly ridiculous need for suspended disbelief, and no substance beyond the formal 'inventiveness' left me wanting a LOT more. I didn't hate it - but I certainly did not like it and found it to'...
I ended up putting this down. It sounded cool, but I couldn't get into it.
In the current vogue for different chapters told from the viewpoint (and in the style of) different characters. Infuriating lack of punctuation, especially the lack of speech marks.
Plowed through about 50 pages of this book, before skipping forward into the book to see if it would get any better. Noticed pages and pages of weird poetry in the middle of the book. Promptly returned book to library.
I read reviews, I listen to others talk about books, I seek out books that others rave about, and nevertheless, many books disappoint.The Accidental did not disappoint. And how did I run across it? Well, (forgive me this) it was quite accidental. As many good things are.The Accidental has everything...
Wonderful! Review to follow.
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