NW

English language

Published July 15, 2012

ISBN:
978-0-241-14414-5
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4 stars (13 reviews)

NW is a 2012 novel by British author Zadie Smith. It takes its title from the NW postcode area in North-West London, where the novel is set. The novel is experimental and follows four different characters living in London, shifting between first and third person, stream-of-consciousness, screenplay-style dialogue, and other narrative techniques in an attempt to reflect the polyphonic nature of contemporary, urban life. It was nominated for the 2013 Women's Prize for Fiction.

2 editions

Review of 'NW' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

The star of this novel is Zadie Smith's writing. It's a thoughtful exploration of the lives of four people who grow up in the same area of London, especially the two friends Leah and Keisha/Natalie. I especially admire how the author imagines different dialogues and demonstrates the different expectations and world views of her characters. Overall, it's melancholy, but manages to end on a hopeful note for the two main protagonists. There is a pleasing symmetry to their relationship.

This is beautifully written, and it will stay with me for awhile.

Review of 'NW' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

The only way I can describe this book is exuberant. Full of life, humor and a realistic view of people and places. Telling the story of some folks in northwest London, in particular, two life long friends Leah and Natalie. Both have their insecurities, but cover them up as best they can, even to their bestie.

I can see why, perhaps, some folks might not like it though but because of why I really like it. It tells its story in a variety of ways, reminscent of Stevenson's Baroque trilogy. Internal dialogs, normal story telling, flow of consciousness, a screenplay, you name it. It takes a bit of work but the payoff is well worth it.

Natalie's chapters did get a bit tiring after a while. She has a serious case of imposter syndrome and has a hard time figuring out who she is and what she is. And sadly …

Review of 'NW' on 'GoodReads'

5 stars

The most concrete definition of city life that I have encountered, bringing together writing that is at times as engagingly comedic as it is suddenly consequential. Smith turns the knife at the right moments, and captures the untrue face of London in a bottle in this book.

Review of 'NW' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I loved this book.

I loved "White Teeth" but with genius debuts you never know if the experience will be repeated. Her second "Autograph Man" I didn't really enjoy, too much abstruse Kabbalah and obscure symbolism, trying too hard.
The third "on Beauty" i enjoyed but found a bit of a slog in parts, maybe again writing too many words, too much Writing.

This one is a masterpiece.Dialogue driven, every word counts to drive the story on. Each part, as in poetry, has resonances and undercurrents, but none of it seems contrived, it looks effortless. A joy.

Review of 'NW' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Zadie Smith writes beautifully. NW changes style and format on multiple occasions as focus shifts from one character to the next. For the most part, this works well. Occasionally, it puts the character in a disconnected zone - just reading a timeline of someone's life. While I'm sure that distance is intentional, it is a frustrating ordeal for the reader that lasts a bit too long.

I got out of it some lovely turns of phrase and imagery and some investment in lives I haven't connected with before, but could have enjoyed it more with a less experimental structure.

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