A review by ukamushu_the_bibliophile
Intimations by Zadie Smith

informative reflective slow-paced

4.5

CONTENT AND TRIGGER WARNINGS: Mentions of police brutality, death of George Floyd, racism

"They are very happy to 'blackout' their social media for a day, to read all-black books, and 'educate' themselves about black issues – as long as this education does not occur in the form of actual black children attending their actual schools."

"Intimations" by Zadie Smith is a small collection of short essays penned during the early months of lockdown. It is, without doubt, the single most eloquently-written reflective streams of consciousness I have ever read, paradox aside. Smith, possibly with mind exhausted from the overwhelming thoughts of finding something to do to fill time, does something I find quite funny: she shows why art like writing is so powerful and needed.

It's very fascinating to see someone's thoughts laid out so plainly in black and white. It's even more fascinating to see thoughts that mirror yours – so simply and powerfully. Writing, and art in general, do this to people. They do this to me. I love it when, even miles and lifetimes apart, people can find these little ways of connecting. Smith's writing is powerful for that. She doesn't attach moral weight to the experiences she narrates: they are presented as experiences. Her thoughts are hers, her reflections and interpretations are hers. In a way, that makes this book difficult to rate and review, so my rating and this review are EXTREMELY subjective. That being said, this read took my mind on a journey, back to the days of lockdown and all the loss and confusion and anger and helplessness and peace and self-discovery and reflection that I experienced.

The book reflects on the period encapsulated by the first six months of 2020, so the latter half of the book delves deeply into racial inequality and police brutality. Smith spat fire in these parts, criticizing America and all its self-righteousness. There are no words for how much I enjoyed devouring her words. 

"Intimations" is a powerful book, concentrated with moving and insightful reflections on love, life, and on a global pandemic and the ways it shifted and exposed many things.
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