Swing Time

Swing Time is an instant literary classic. Zadie Smith writes at her finest & is in top form, bringing back the full power of her witty & nuanced storytelling evident in White Teeth. I would say that the commentary is not as fresh & revelatory as the latter (this mostly comes through in the inequality/development part of the plot), but that may just be a factor of perspective change in me in the intervening years between reading both, & my education in inequality & development. the juxtapositions of characters & their messy contadictions against layers of inequalities of race, class, gender are satisfying & relatable. What stands out is the sisterly relationship between two best friends, and I can see how the comparisons to Ferrante are relevant & accurate here.