Book Reviews of On Beauty

Although not as humourous as White Teeth, I found this to be an interesting look at a period of life of two intertwined families. It is quite lengthy, but I read it in a few evenings. It's one of those books that is truthful enough to make you squirm in your seats as you watch the characters get caught in their mistakes and make amends.

This book was an intense, all-nighter read. Alternately had me squirming in dismay for the hapless characters and giggling at their foibles, while thinking seriously about the issues raised. You can skim along and enjoy or dig deeper. Great, great read.

This is a wonderful and unusual story about family, academia, love, race, and generations. It's one of the best books I read in 2008! It gave an interesting view of both a bi-racial family and working in academia.

About a woman who loved blindly. Good book.

Smith is showing up on every "hot new writers" list.

Winner of the 2006 Orange Prize. Great book!

this book prompted one of the best discussions ever on my online book group!

My book club read this book. At times I really enjoyed it, and at other times I thought it was just so/so. I really loved the central female character but found the central male character pretty unsympathetic. We had some great discussion at the meeting.

The Belsey family home is author, Zadie Smith's, mixing bowl for questions about race, gender, socio-economic status, intelligence, values, etc. where every member represents a different recipe. I enjoy the topics Smith explores. However, I found parts of the book to be bland and certain characters to be too flat or underdeveloped.

On Beauty would be a great book to read in a book club or group because it asks questions that merit discussion. I will not re-read it on my own, though.