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NW
416 pages, 2012
Set in northwest London, Zadie Smith’s brilliant tragicomic novel follows four locals—Leah, Natalie, Felix, and Nathan—as they try to make adult lives outside of Caldwell, the council estate of their childhood.
In private houses and public parks, at work and at play, these Londoners inhabit a complicated place, as beautiful as it is brutal, where the thoroughfares hide the back alleys and taking the high road can sometimes lead you to a dead end.
Depicting the modern urban zone—familiar to city-dwellers everywhere—NW is a quietly devastating novel of encounters, mercurial and vital, like the city itself.
Zadie Smith's NW is a deep exploration of identity. It shows us how our upbringing, environment, and experiences shape who we are. It's a reminder that identity is not static, but constantly evolving. So, take a look at your own identity, see how it's changed over time, and embrace the complexity of who you are.
The book gives us a glimpse into the lives of people from different socioeconomic backgrounds. It shows how wealth and poverty can shape our opportunities and experiences. It's a call to check our privileges and be more empathetic towards those less fortunate.
NW is also a story about friendship. It shows us how friendships can endure despite differences and hardships. It's a reminder to cherish our friends and to work on maintaining these important relationships.
Zadie Smith paints a realistic picture of adulthood, with all its struggles and uncertainties. It's a reminder that it's okay to not have everything figured out and that everyone is just trying to navigate life as best as they can.
The book celebrates the diversity of London's NW postcode. It shows us the beauty of multiculturalism and the richness it brings to our communities. It's a call to appreciate and respect the diversity around us.
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NW is a boldly Joycean portrayal, both deeply moving and, at times, darkly funny. It is as much a novel of London as a dissection of class, race, and gender.
Michiko Kakutani - Literary CriticNW is a fascinating exploration of modern urban life with all its complexities, contradictions and ambiguities. It is a brilliant novel that is both intellectually challenging and deeply human.
Ron Charles - Book CriticNW is a powerful novel of personal and social estrangement. Smith's prose is as versatile and vibrant as ever, capturing the dizzying diversity of London life with wit and empathy.
James Wood - Literary Critic
