AFTER Jeanette Winterson, Zadie Smith is the name many people cite as the enduring literary star of British fiction. She is known for her keen insights into the interplay of race, identity, culture and belonging. Her works, ranging from novels to short stories and essays, often fuse elements of diverse narratives and vistas, reflecting her rich roots and acute social observations.
One of the most prominent themes in Zadie Smith’s writing is identity. Smith often explores how personal and collective identities are shaped by society, history and culture. This is most vividly shown in her debut novel, “White Teeth,” where she delved into the lives of mixed-race families in modern London.
Through characters like Archie Jones and Samad Iqbal, Smith examines the complex intersections of race, immigration and assimilation in postmodern British society.
Moreover, Smith frequently addresses the theme of multiculturalism and the diaspora. Her characters often grapple with their cultural heritage against the backdrop of Western society, creating a rich mix of contrasting customs and beliefs.
For instance, in “NW” (named after a section of London), Smith shows the intertwining lives of four individuals from a housing estate in northwest London. She captures the nuances of class and race, and emphasizes the often-painful grappling with one’s cultural roots.
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Another significant concern in her work is the concept of connections, or the lack thereof, in an increasingly fragmented world. In her narrative, Smith deftly illustrates the layers and intricacies of relationships. She emphasizes how social and personal disconnections affect her characters. This theme resonates through the more recent works, such as “Swing Time,” where the protagonist’s relationship with her friend and the nature of their artistic ambitions highlight the compromises and sacrifices inherent in personal and professional relationships.
Whose writings shaped her own? Smith’s influences are eclectic as her narratives. Raised in a multicultural environment in Northwest London, she was influenced by the diverse cultures around her. Furthermore, her studies at Cambridge University, where she read literature, gave her a deep grounding in literary traditions. The blend of her British and Jamaican roots add rich layers to her explorations of cultural otherness.
She has often cited writers like James Baldwin and Toni Morrison as critical influences on her work. Their nuanced explorations of race and identity echo throughout her novels. In addition, the lyrical prose of Virginia Woolf have also shaped her narrative style. This can be seen in her focus on stream of consciousness and the inner lives of her characters. This literary heritage informs Smith’s ability to create solid and multidimensional characters who reflect a spectrum of lives.
Her works build from strength to strength. “White Teeth” (2000) is a vibrant work of interwoven narratives set against the backdrop of multicultural London. It gained immediate acclaim, solidifying her status as a formidable new voice. It addresses themes of legacy and the complexities of identity through two families over multiple generations.
“The Autograph Man” (2002) continues to investigate identity and celebrity culture, following the life of a Jewish man as he navigates fame, loss and the presence of cultural expectation. On the other hand, “On Beauty” (2005) was inspired by E.M. Forster’s Howard’s End. Smith’s novel explores family dynamics, race and societal conflict through the lives of a mixed-race family in the United States. It dives deep into academia, art and the nuances of cross-cultural relationships.
“NW” (2010) uses a more experimental approach as it presents a series of interconnected stories about four friends from the same neighborhood. With charm and wit intact, the novel dissects class and socioeconomic issues against the backdrop of a swiftly changing London.
“Swing Time” (2016) moves on into her charted fictional territory, exploring friendship, race and the intricacies of the performance industry. The story follows two aspiring dancers, illustrating the complexities of ambition and identity.
In recent years, Zadie Smith has continued to evolve her craft while maintaining her characteristic themes, as all writers should. “Feel Free” (2018) is a collection of essays that showcase her range as a writer — from cultural criticism to reflections on personal experiences. Here, Smith reflects on her place within the world, modernity, art and political discourse.
In 2020, she published “Intimations,” a slim collection of essays written during the Covid-19 pandemic. It explores themes of isolation, chance and the strength of the human spirit. I bought my copy of this book at Kinokuniya Bookstore in Kuala Lumpur, at the tail end of my term as the Head of School-English at the University of Nottingham campus in Malaysia.
This collection highlights her adaptability as a writer, showing her ability to address contemporary issues with depth and sensitivity.
And in 2022, she released “The Fraud,” a historical novel set in the 19th century that deals with a real-life trial in England. It lays bare themes of fraud, race and identity in a distinctly different narrative form, as compared to her earlier fiction. This foray into historical fiction further broadens her narrative scope while retaining her insightful examination of issues in a postmodern world.
Schooled in the finest traditions of the classics, keenly observant of her mixed-race upbringing, and writing with a style that has the shimmer and strength of silk, Zade Smith continues to dazzle us with her works that are “forged in the smithy of her soul.”
Danton Remoto’s books have been published by Penguin SEA. They include “Boys’ Love,” The “Heart of Summer: Stories” and “Riverrun.” He has also translated into English three classic Tagalog novels by Lope K. Santos and National Artist Amado V. Hernandez. All the books are available at Fully Booked, National Book Store and www.acrephils.com; Kinokuniya in Asia; in amazon.com and independent bookstores globally.
