Reviews

NW by Zadie Smith

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lizziecsmith's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

piiris's review against another edition

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5.0

Truly amazing

jimbowen0306's review against another edition

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4.0

This book is about a group of friends who grew up on a council estate in North West London (hence the title). The core of the book focuses on 2 friends who got out. Some of their friends moved sideways. Others slipped into heavy duty drug up.

It wasn't a bad book. It's certainly well written. For example, she caught how they talk to each other pretty well. It's just a little depressing. No one, even the girls who got out, are particularly happy. I don't expect my books to necessarily end all rosy, but part of me hoped it'd end cheerier than this 1 did.

esmemazzeo's review

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

sophiazanarotti's review against another edition

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dark funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

ruby4sure's review against another edition

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4.0

On the fence between a 3 and a 4 - first 2/3rds were absolutely phenomenal, loved the voices of the characters and Zadie Smiths ability to show so much about them without telling (the same thing I loved about White Teeth). Although I am usually more of a good story > good characters person when it comes to books I love, the simple tales of Leah and Shar, and Natalie's legal journey were enough to engage me and show me through her imagination of NW London (which is one of the main characters in itself - side note, also loved this about where the crawdads sing, when the setting is as live and integral to the book as the characters themselves).

The reason I'm so on the fence was the final 3rd (from the numbered list onwards). I feel like Nathan's character was just not as multilayered and interesting to read as Natalie and Leah's and these sections felt more of an afterthought/bleak caveat to show the more gnarly realities of addiction and knife crime in the city (which I felt were already explored throughout the earlier sections). Found it so much of a slog to read the final 1/200 pages it nearly lowered the review that much but upon reflection here definitely worth a 4 stars (and 5 if you were to quit whilst you're ahead!)