Feel Free: Essays

Zadie Smith

Quick Take

From Zadie Smith, one of the most beloved authors of her generation, a new collection of essays Since she burst spectacularly into view with her debut novel almost two decades ago, Zadie Smith has established herself not just as one of the world's preeminent fiction writers, but also a brilliant and singular essayist. She contributes regularly to The New Yorker and the New York Review of Books on a range of subjects, and each piece of hers is a literary event in its own right. Arranged into five sections--In the World, In the Audience, In the Gallery, On the Bookshelf, and Feel Free--this new collection poses questions we immediately recognize. What is The Social Network--and Facebook itself--really about? "It's a cruel portrait of us: 500 million sentient people entrapped in the recent careless thoughts of a Harvard sophomore." Why do we love libraries? "Well-run libraries are filled with people because what a good library offers cannot be easily found elsewhere: an indoor public space in which you do not have to buy anything in order to stay." What will we tell our granddaughters about our collective failure to address global warming? "So I might say to her, look: the thing you have to appreciate is that we'd just been through a century of relativism and deconstruction, in which we were informed that most of our fondest-held principles were either uncertain or simple wishful thinking, and in many areas of our lives we had already been asked to accept that nothing is essential and everything changes--and this had taken the fight out of us somewhat." Gathering in one place for the first time previously unpublished work, as well as already classic essays, such as, "Joy," and, "Find Your Beach," Feel Free offers a survey of important recent events in culture and politics, as well as Smith's own life. Equally at home in the world of good books and bad politics, Brooklyn-born rappers and the work of Swiss novelists, she is by turns wry, heartfelt, indignant, and incisive--and never any less than perfect company. This is literary journalism at its zenith.

Reader's Review

Book Review Summary: Feel Free: Essays

Introduction

Feel Free: Essays, written by Zadie Smith, is a collection of cultural criticism, personal essays, and political writings that showcases the author's versatile range as a writer. Smith takes on a wide range of topics, from Brexit and the politics of public space to Justin Bieber and the influence of teen idols. The collection's eclecticism is both its greatest strength and weakness, as readers will find something in the book for everyone, but not all essays will be of interest to everyone. However, the essays are consistently well-crafted and thought-provoking.

About Zadie Smith

Zadie Smith is a British author known for her fiction and non-fiction works. She burst onto the literary scene with her debut novel, White Teeth, which established her as one of the world's preeminent fiction writers. Smith has since published several other novels, including The Autograph Man, On Beauty, NW, and Swing Time, as well as two collections of essays, Changing My Mind and Feel Free. In addition to her literary achievements, Smith has been recognized for her contributions to journalism, having regularly written for publications such as The New Yorker and the New York Review of Books.

Analysis of Views

Smith's versatility as a writer: Readers appreciate Smith's ability to write about various topics with beauty, wit, and intelligence. They find her writing style casual and conversational without being sloppy or unstructured. Her voice is strong and defined, making it easy for readers to hear her speak as they read.
The eclectic nature of the collection: While some readers enjoy the wide range of topics covered in the book, others find it challenging to connect with all the essays. They appreciate the consistency in quality but wish there were more cohesive themes or connections between the essays.
Thought-provoking essays: Many readers find Smith's essays thought-provoking and engaging. They appreciate her ability to delve into complex issues and provide fresh perspectives. Some essays stand out as particularly insightful or memorable, such as the one on Justin Bieber or the one on libraries.
Personal and political writings: Some readers appreciate Smith's personal essays that explore topics such as family, identity, and the impact of global events on individuals. They find her personal stories relatable and engaging. Others enjoy her political writings that address issues such as Brexit and global warming.
Disappointment with certain sections: A few readers express disappointment with certain sections of the book, particularly the Harper's Magazine book reviews. They find these sections less engaging or forced compared to the other essays in the collection.

Reasons for Recommendation

Versatility and depth of thought: Readers recommend Feel Free: Essays for its versatility and depth of thought. They appreciate Smith's ability to tackle a wide range of topics with intelligence and wit, offering fresh perspectives on various issues.
Engaging writing style: Smith's writing style is praised for being engaging and accessible. Readers enjoy her casual and conversational tone, which makes her essays easy to read without sacrificing intellectual depth.
Thought-provoking essays: Many readers recommend Feel Free: Essays for its thought-provoking essays that challenge readers to think critically about various subjects. They appreciate Smith's ability to delve into complex issues and provide insightful commentary.

Reasons for Not Recommendation

Disjointed themes: Some readers find the disjointedness of the themes in Feel Free: Essays to be a drawback. They appreciate individual essays but feel that there is a lack of cohesion between them, making it difficult to fully engage with the collection as a whole.
Limited appeal: A few readers express that the book may not have widespread appeal due to its eclectic nature. They appreciate Smith's versatility as a writer but feel that not all essays will resonate with everyone, resulting in a limited recommendation for those who prefer more focused collections.

Conclusion

Feel Free: Essays by Zadie Smith is a collection of cultural criticism, personal essays, and political writings that showcases the author's versatile range as a writer. Readers appreciate Smith's ability to tackle a wide range of topics with intelligence and wit, offering fresh perspectives on various issues. While some readers find the eclectic nature of the collection challenging and disjointed, others appreciate its versatility and depth of thought. Overall, Feel Free: Essays is recommended for those interested in exploring Smith's writing style and engaging with thought-provoking essays on a variety of subjects.