On Beauty and Being Right
I managed to finish On Beauty on December 31st, and I have to say this book was my favorite of 2006. It did take me a while to finish the novel, but not because it wasn't riveting. I think I was drawing out the experience of the Bellsley and Kipps families and when it was done I was truly sad to turn to the story's last page. By examining 2 families, Zadie Smith has created a real dialogue and debate about art, politics, and honesty. There is so much in On Beauty that has prompted me to stop reading and do research (e.g. on Rembrandt's work, on Haiti's history with the U.S.) Also Smith has created a balanced and compelling discourse on affirmative action, class differences and racial tension that was eye opening, without being preachy. All of this fascinating subject matter comes to life through the clashes between authentic and beautiful characters.
You may (or may not) know that the plot of On Beauty was based on E.M. Forester's classic Howards End. Zadie Smith refers to the Howards End as her '...first literary love' and clearly a source of great inspiration. The plots of Howards End and On Beauty are apparently quite similar, but Zadie Smith has successfully modernized this classic into something that is truly her own.For the book club meeting (date tbd), I think we should do something different: watch the film version of Howards End (1992) starring Sir Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson and Helena Bonham Carter (with Emma Thompson taking home the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role). I think it would be a fantastic experience compare/contrast the film/original story of Howards End with On Beauty. Que pensez vous?
Interesting Links
o Dialogue with Zadie Smith on On Beauty
o Book Club Reading Guide
o ABC Local Radio Brisbane Book Club Discussion: scroll to the bottom of the page for the mp3
posted by MJ @ 9:26 a.m.
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