A Slightly UNHINGED / Rant-y Review: The Fraud by Zadie Smith

0:00 Intro and how the Fraud came into my life
1:56 Initial thoughts
6:21 Could be considered spoiler-y
8:57 Rant-ish
15:26 Final thoughts and BYE
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[@LucyLawrence-nc8sv]

I actually LOVED reading the backstory of Bogle!!

[@LisaJanine]

First off, I’m glad I found your review! Immediately after this, I’m off to watch some of your other videos :) I watched this to see if I wanted to continue with The Fraud, and decided to DNF it. It’s just not working for me. I have a very complicated relationship with Zadie Smith’s writing, I think. I love the idea of her books, I liked some of them (The Embassy of Cambodia, Feel Free: Essays, Intimations and Swing Time) and hated another (Grand Union). And even those I liked I gave three or four stars - never five. Intimations & The Embassy are short, so I’m usually more generous with my rating, and Feel Free & Swing Time still had parts that I really disliked in them. I read Swing Time in 2017, so who knows how I would feel about it now. Feel Free contained a lot of Harper’s Bazaar columns, which I didn’t care for. I’m hoping to have more luck with her older works (I have White Teeth and On Beauty laying around) but if those don’t work, maybe I just have to give up. I’d be curious to see what you think of those! Sorry for this long comment, I just have a lot of thoughts and feelings about Zadie Smith and I really WANT to like her books more. Your review kind of pulled me over the edge to stop reading The Fraud. 😅

[@Shellyish]

Thank you so much for this long comment! I really appreciate your take on Smith especially since The Fraud was my first read of hers.

[@tre-sweeney]

Girl...I totally felt the same way you felt after reading this book.The backstory of Bogle was totally not necessary and I'm still not certain of it's relevance. However, because of this book I don't really have a desire to read anymore of her novels.

[@HannahsBooks]

What an excellent review, Shelly. I haven't read this book yet, but what you say here makes me better understand what other reviewers were thinking about. I've just been reading Zadie Smith's long introduction to Toni Morrison's Recitatif--and I am in general quite pleased with her thinking there.

[@Shellyish]

Thank you, Hannah. I can see why the book has confused readers, but I find it strange that I'm not put off by Smith's writing in the least and feel encouraged to read her again.

[@baskinthestory]

This was fun to watch Shelly. I thoroughly enjoyed The Fraud and the structure did not bother me like it obviously did you. I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Zadie Smith and first of all her Scottish accent was very convincing. Her writing as you say is so good, concise, easy to read, witty and I enjoyed the view of current issues being discussed in an historical setting (which felt real). I also enjoyed the exploration of who is a fraud

[@Shellyish]

Yes! I loved the theme, historical setting, and much of her character work. There was a good bit to enjoy. Thanks for sharing!

[@TheUnhingedWomanBookClub]

Shelly: **heavy sigh** “Shelly, calm down.” Ha! Girl this is so relatable when we are invested in a what is looking to be a good read and then things go pear shaped!!! Thanks for this great review.

[@Shellyish]

Yeeeees!!! Thanks for the lovely comment.

[@fractured_stories]

Insightful review! I read On Beauty years ago and gave it like 3.5 stars. I’ve had White Teeth on my shelf for years but haven’t read it yet. I haven’t had any interest in her newest one since I’ve seen a lot of unfavorable reviews of it. Your review is my favorite one though.

[@Shellyish]

Thank you! I would love to FINALLY read White Teeth. :)

[@elizabethaliteraryprincess]

William Harrison Ainsworth is a character in this book?! I'll have to read it just for that (although I don't know how much actually I'll like it based on what you've said). I wrote a chapter of my master's thesis on his book The Lancashire Witches.

[@Shellyish]

YEEEEES! He's a huge character in the book. :)

[@upstatebookish]

Super interesting and valid take, Shelly! I quite enjoyed The Fraud, but I agree that the structure was wonky and the book would’ve benefited from better integration at the jump. I’ve noticed that, while the book has been favorably reviewed for the most part by critics, many readers have taken issue with it. I think you’re right that Zadie Smith being a literary darling may have a lot to do with the lack of editing (and the book’s critical reception). I read NW shortly after reading The Fraud, and I liked it a lot more. I also want to get to White Teeth!

[@Shellyish]

I don't know why The Fraud has been so critically accepted - to me it was greatly flawed, but, somehow, I still want to read pick up another book by her. :)

[@janethansen9612]

I found the way the time jumped backwards and forwards a little confusing, but I otherwise enjoyed the ride though I also see what you're saying. I thought the court room scenes were so funny. But yes, it's not the great literary work that it's marketed as.

[@Shellyish]

Yes! Exactly! Thank you, Janet! :)

[@jesssmith1352]

I have just finished White Teeth and I loved it. I was a bit confused by The Fraud.

[@Shellyish]

You and me both, Jess.

[@TheNutmegStitcher]

Shades of Sir Percival from The Woman in White, perhaps. Good review. Good editors are as important as the authors. Nothing is more irritating than when an author patronizes the reader rather than reveal through good storytelling. I appreciate a well deserved rant. 😊

[@Shellyish]

Thank you! I appreciate it. YESS! The summary chapter felt patronizing. :)

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

This was very cathartic and funny. I cannot agree with you more on this book, both in terms of it being a poor experience and in terms of ZS being very talented. Zadie Smith makes these great observations, writes beautifully and is often funny, but she needs somebody to provide structure, characters and plot, because they're a mess.

[@Shellyish]

Interesting. Have you read White Teeth? IF so, how did you like it?

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

@@Shellyish I have read White Teeth, I did end up liking it, but it was hard work enjoying it. It was in the balance for a long time.

[@annemeredith9325]

I disagree. The section about Bogle’s history was my favorite part of this book and explained the background of Mrs. Touchet’s world view.

[@Shellyish]

Thanks.

[@Thehungrybookworm]

Not read any of this author and i don’t think i will tbh 🤣

[@Shellyish]

HA! :)

[@hh61167]

I thought today was one piece review incoming 😢

[@juanhernestogomez433]

no, dont do that. read at your own pace girl

[@Celediev]

Let's give her the freedom to do as she pleases and go at her own pace, as every One Piece fan deserves!

[@hh61167]

@@juanhernestogomez433 well yeah sorry for that

[@hh61167]

@@Celediev yeah not gonna do it from now onwards

[@pegthebookprizeaddict579]

Very interesting Shelly, and well said! Just ready to start this book and it will be fun to think about your ideas while reading. I was having a hard time finding any reviews here on what it is really about and yours is very informative! Keep on reading🥰🙆‍♀️📚🧶💖

[@Shellyish]

Thank you, Peg! I appreciate it! :)