Gliff by Ali Smith - a new novel by a favourite author. Does it live up to expectations?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- When I read really new fiction I try to share my thoughts in a quick review. I love Ali Smith and this is another brilliant book from her. So I enthuse but also share my slight niggle with the novel and I'd love to hear other views on it.
For a lovely, insightful review see @EricKarlAnderson's video • Gliff by Ali Smith / r...
Hello Ros,
It seems an amazing book!
I really like Ali Smith's writing, I think I read three books of her.
The characterization (5:01) of "Gliff" is what called my attention. It will go to my pile of "want to read".
I agree that this edition you borrowed from the library is gorgeous, I loved the endpapers :)
@@thaiziono96 it really is a handsome edition. I am happy you like her writing too.
Thank you for this review!:) as someone who’s actually kinda struggled with the accessibility of some of Smith’s work before, I really enjoyed this one. I’d picked it up in a local bookshop after being dazzled by the cover! Very excited for its twin.
@@katielily4132 yes I'm really looking forward to part two. I trust Smith to pull things together well.
What a review! What a writer! Your enthusiasm, even tempered somewhat by those slight reservations, is pretty darned contagious and I'm inclined to pop out to the library or shops to seek it out forthwith.
@@jaredthebrown well I'd certainly support that plan!
Always nice to see one of your reviews. I read this arc weeks ago, and I was underwhelmed. I think my problem was twofold: that the two time frames undercut the power of the other and the younger sister's "knowledge" seemed to vacillate between brilliance and a cloying ignorance. I wrote this in my goodreads review: "For me, the novel loses power a bit because the novel's characters remain out of focus. It's difficult to sustain interest in characters whose motivations and feelings are often interrupted by a shift in narrative or a purposeful lack of clarity."
@@cmleidi I was OK with the two time frames but I recognise what you mean about Rose. I am wondering if she will be expanded in Glyph. I think she was meant to have less knowledge but stronger instincts but that didn't always work.
I tracked down your goodreads review. I have moved to Storygraph for recording but still read reviews on GR.
I feel the same as you about Ali Smith and I have actually read everything that she has ever published, including her play Seer! Can’t wait to get to this - my copy is in the pile - and I even got a ticket to see her even though it’s a hundred mile’s away (not coming to the north!). Talk about a fan😅!
@@ianp9086 how inconsiderate of her. And she originally a Scot too so you'd think she'd pass through the North sometimes visiting home.
@@scallydandlingaboutthebooks I did get round to reading Gliff in December and thought it was excellent! For me it just missed out on being as good as How to be Both and Autumn but I am still thinking about it 3 weeks on. The first section was completely wonderful and had everything I love about her books - even the dictionary extracts!
@@scallydandlingaboutthebooks just watched your video again and realised you might want more from the comments! 😮 You mentioned the two potential negatives and neither bothered me at all - I didn’t feel I was being lectured and she gets away with the conscious cleverness, maybe because the best lines are often in the mouth of a young girl who is such a wonderful, lovable character! I think my very slight negative comment relates to wanting slightly more resolution from the story - there seemed to be some loose ends - which isn’t something that would usually bother me and perhaps the second book may have a part to play.
@@ianp9086 as you say the ending felt sudden and the logic of it incomplete, but it is probable that the second book will extend and resolve it so the whole feels satisfying. I am hoping the younger sibling's character gets filled out more as she is both precocious and unworldly in a slightly odd way. Lovable though as you say. The cleverness isn't going to bother you and me but I understand some readers don't relish as we do. I'm glad you didn't feel lectured. I may have been oversensitive then.
I love Ali Smith! Another one on my ever growing Christmas list.
@@Ali-AvidReader glad to hear it.
I've still never read any Ali Smith despite all your enthusing!
@@tillysshelf shocking!
I have yet to get to Ali Smith. Maybe 2025 will be the year. I love the end papers and how the cover has a window to those pages.
@@ariannefowler455 I do think you should of course.
Thank you! The audio is not available yet in the US but I can get all the Ali Smith books! I will read her first and hopefully I can get the audio of Night Alphabet in 2025 or I will get the physical copy!
@@heidi6281 I hope you enjoy these authors as much as I do 😀
I’m so glad to be reminded of this new Ali Smith!
@@thelefthandedreader6632 hurrah 😀
I wholeheartedly agree with your two reservations, she's deliberately clever and she tells the reader what to think. Yes. I came to this book as my first Ali Smith book and I was very disappointed... but then found myself thinking about the story quite a lot and discovering some interesting ideas in the process. So basically I'm confused about this book! I reviewed it on my channel and would love to hear your thoughts (even if you are in complete disagreement). Regards, Eleanor.
@@theonlyrealproperty2567 I'll go and watch your video but your comment matches my ambivalent reaction to the book. Ali Smith is so skilled and intelligent in her writing but there was a slight misfire here in the heavy-handed messaging.
Hi Ros! I just saw your mini review of the Night Alphabet on Gareth’s channel! Do you have a dedicated video to this book on your channel I could not find it. You are fabulous! So glad to discover you! What is Ali Smith’s best novel, your absolute favorite!
@@heidi6281 picking favourites is hard. I particularly loved How To Be Both but the Seasonal Quartet that starts with Autumn is fascinating.
@@heidi6281 and yes I did a single book review of Night Alphabet back in April this year.
You beat me to the punch! I was a little underwhelmed, but perhaps we need to see how it dovetails or sparks off "Glyph". Was I mistaken, but it seemed to slip out with minimal fanfare?
@@MarcNash yes I felt there were some moments in this one that didn't quite work but knowing that it is part of a pair made me wonder. On the limited fanfare, I think she does not like too much revealed about her books before publication and she has that degree of control these days.
I definitely plan to read this book and its twin. I think the slight problem you had with it, is one that people who dislike her books (especially the Seasonal Quartet) are criticising (or even hate) with vengeance about her all the time, that she is preachy, too political and too woke. Well, we can live with that kind of criticism, can't we? 😉
@@ameliareads589 you're right. But I like the politics to come through the story as naturally as possible.
@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711 I agree.
Somehow I've never read anything from Ali Smith, maybe I should dive in!
@@AbiofPellinor oh you should!
Gliff won’t be published in North America until February 2025. I’m REALLY looking forward to it!
@@lindysmagpiereads ages to wait!
@ Plenty of other great books to read in the meantime (fortunately)
I didn't know Ali Smith had a new book out. Just ordered a copy :)
@@carolinasiqueira752 irresistible when you know her writing!
Would you please recommend two of your favorite Ali Smith books? Thank you 😊
@@TKTalksBooks How to be Both and Autumn 😀
😂 I am equally perverse, in that way. I'm definitely going to pick up Gliff. It'll be my first Ali Smith.
@@PageTurnersWithKatja ha ha. We don't like being told what to think or feel. It is good though. And the dystopian frame may suit you better than me too.