The Accidental
On Oct 29th we'll be meeting to discuss The Accidental. I absolutely loved this book. The style of writing is bold, the characters are authentic (especially Astrid) and Smith's observations about life in the new millennium are poignant without being heavy-handed. The central character Amber is a surprise guest at the Smart family's summer cottage. Months after her arrival,Amber is forced to leave abruptly; but not before deeply affecting each family member. This character is not to be interpreted literally; Amber is a catalyst used to examine how each of the Smarts has begun to think outside of their own personal norm. Although widely acclaimed, The Accidental has been criticized for being too much of a 'literary exercise'. I can see how this could turn-off readers, but I think this story is less about the plot and more so about grander themes and inventiveness of writing. Regardless, I am very much looking forward to discussing and hearing others' points of view.
In the mean-time, here are some interesting links:
o The Guardian: Review
o The Guardian: Interview with Ali Smith
posted by MJ @ 10:03 p.m.
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