1001. On Beauty

On Beauty
Zadie Smith
2005
Around 445 pages

Okay, somehow I got messed up with numbering, and despite ostensibly reaching 1001, we still have a a couple more novels to go. I don't know where that error happened, but if you can spot the original error that screwed things up, you get the keys to my chocolate factory. Now to talk about On Beauty.

Loosely based on Howard's End, this novel tells the story of an interracial family living in a university town in Massachussetts. That's the very simplified summary, after 1000+ novels, the simplified summary is what you get.

We've had quite a few of these novels before that were inspired by old classics, but I still thought this was a fresh spin on the concept, and much more enjoyable to me than White Teeth was. The characters were unhinged in an amusing way, and I liked reading about the clashes between atheism and Christianity and between liberalism and conservatism. Guess where I fall on the spectrum!

Our novelists lately can't resist adding themselves to the story, and it worked well here. Recommended.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.

UP NEXT: Saturday by Ian McEwan

948. White Teeth

White Teeth
Zadie Smith
2000
Around 480 pages

I had previously enjoyed On Beauty, but didn't really click with this one. It's like going on a great first date, and then having everything fall apart on the second date. But maybe I've just had my share of complicated multi family dramas.

This is a sweeping saga about three families from three different cultures in three generations. It felt like something in the style of Martin Amis or Hanif Kureishi, with its heavy use of cultural references, self-aware plotting, and unlikable characters.

It wasn't a horrible failure by any means, but 480 pages is a long time to not gel with a story. The emphasis on comedy just didn't land for me and the ending was unsatisfactory. Next!

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Adapted to a television series in 2002.

UP NEXT: Under the Skin by Michel Faber