I went to her reading at the Edinburgh Book Festival, and one of the passages she chose to read from Autumn, the one where every sentence starts with "All across the country", had me in tears in the overcrowded tent-auditorium. I can't wait to read the whole thing
I am now reading Autumn and I just wanted to say that I really can relate to this review. Fascinating how alive and meaningful it all feels! Definitely it will become one of my favourites.
My goodness did you ever sell me on this book. Please trust that I will be picking up a copy. And please know that I will be picking up a copy because of this video! Thank you, Jen! Wonderful as always as always as always!
It's very fascinating to see this again after watching your video on Winter and just seeing how much you loved both. It's always a nice thing to come across someone who loves books as much as you do and just hearing you praise it. This is why I like you channel so, so much.
My best friend (and best co-conspirator in reading and writing) discovered you and sent me your "Jen Recommends" playlist as a starting point today, and I picked this video at random for my first go. I don't know which of you to thank more. This is, or rather you are marvelous. I love the way you love books, the way you talk about them. Ecstatic to go through and binge your channel! Best, Steph
Just finished this book and whilst I knew I loved it, I knew that some of the themes or ideas would have gone over my head. I actually paused midway and started some of my own research about Catherine Boty to make sense of some of the art ideas but I’m so glad I found your video as you’ve really wrapped up lots of ideas in the book for me that I was wondering about throughout, so thank you! I’m really looking forward to heading to winter next!
Also I have to dash out and I haven't finished watching yet (I will, obvs) so apologies if you reference this - but it also has allusions to Homer's Odyssey, particularly with the way Daniel washes up like Odysseus does. I feel like there's also a million references I didn't pick up on. You could probably write a PhD on just this book.
Also so powerful how the idyllic suddenly morphs into a beach with dead bodies washed up on the shore, and we're jolted from make believe to Tripoli/Syria. "You can dress it up all you want, but this shit is still happening." etc x
I cannot wait to read this. I've never read any Ali Smith and I think starting with Autumn will be an amazing way to kick things off! Love you in your Weasley jumper! Xxx
Just stumbled on this and found your discussion both enthusiastic as well as engaging. The book itself at least initially sounded like a string of cliches, yet further on I was able to let that go and appreciate some of what you presented in the latter half of the review. Glad I found your post: will definitely check out your other work here. Thank you!
I think it’s so interesting how you connected race with Elisabeth having to explain herself. I did go back and forward on that topic while reading and it’s great to hear you talk about it so clearly. Really excited to read Winter the upcoming month! ✨
Oh yay! This makes me so happy. I've been looking forward to this for a while. I love the concept of this series, and your rave review makes look forward to it even more.
Oh my lord, I was already excited about this book and then you go and gush and talk about ideas and all that fun stuff. That was in depth and wow - I'm glad I have this book on pre-order.
Thanks for sharing Jen. When I first saw the title "Autumn" I'd thought the stories were going to be all warm and fuzzy, those that when I put the book down they'll make me go into a settling sleep with a smile on my face. But now it makes me wonder if it is a book about soul-searching of sorts, and what I fear most, that it may contain visuals that jog some of my most regretful memories.
It's not a collection of short stories; it's a novel and Ali Smith's novels (whilst I love them) are not warm and fuzzy - though they have those elements to them (as well as a whole host of other things) which is why they are so brilliant
Jen Campbell Thanks for the reply! I have always thought it is a collection of short stories until now :/ Guess I need to have my first dose of Ali Smith soon!
Watching this having just finished Autumn is incredibly enriching. Some of the symbols went over my head and I am thankful you made this video since I now feel an even deeper appreciation for Ali Smith and look forward to reading more of her work.
Well I knew a thing involving Ali Smith and autumn had to be a good thing, but this sounds even better than I thought and I frankly need it in my life!
You just made me so excited for the book! I have only read one other book by Ali Smith, which is the Accidental, but I think I will soon change that by picking up a copy of this book! Thanks for the lovely video!
I've just finished this book and absolutely loved it! It had been on my list for a while after hearing your recommendations, and I'm so glad I finally picked it up. I thought it would be difficult to get into, so it was left on my shelf for a while, but just as you said, it made me laugh out loud on public transport (particularly about the post office scene) and I was completely surprised by it :) Thanks for this lovely review, you're definitely expanding my appreciation of this book!
Thank you so much for this video! I enjoyed this so very very much. Your thoughts are really interesting. I can't wait to read this when it comes out and then rewatch this video. I've been slowly making my way through all of Ali Smith's books over the past year or two.
I love How To Be Both. The way she talks about gender and sexuality in a way that's unapologetic and complicated made me feel like apologising for my identity wasn't necessary. And the same for Girl meets Boy. And I think Artful is just incredible. Ali Smith reminds me how much I love to think. x
I read this book (as part of my reading The man booker long list) yesterday and I loved it for all the reasons you mentioned. It's funny you mentioned the post office scene, as I was in my local post office yesterday and I was trying to cash a postal order and by coincidence my passport had expired. I tried to give them my student card to back up the expired passport (they don't have a code on their ID system for student cards) in the end the girl said I will use the passport code as I can see it's obviously you 🙄 I could really relate to Elisabeth for whatever reason she was being challenged in the post office! Hilarious 😂
I am definitely going to pick up this book. it sounds so interesting and your discussion made me more intrigued thanks for introducing such a brilliant literary work 😊
WOW I have just finished Autumn and now I see how much I've missed :) I've watched a lot of reviews of this book on youtube but I think this one is the best! Very interesting comments! :)
I have just started watching this review. Have put it off because I work at a fabulous bookshop, know I will want to listen to your recommendation and buy this book, but am also leaving to fly across the world in three weeks. Woops.
I went to the Edinburgh Book Festival and she read a few pages. It was beautiful and the way she talked about the themes made it even more interesting. I was so excited that I preordered it a few weeks ago (something I'd never done before)
You've done it again. Getting me to spend money lol. This was on my to buy list at sometime, but now its must buy. I've recently read her Public library and other stories and loved it. Very relevant for me as our book group are campaigning to stop further cuts to our library service. Autumn sounds equally apt following brexit.wish you were my English lit teacher I would have got A* you give so much food for thought. You far younger than me so realistically you couldn't have been but it would have been great. Hope you enjoyed Durham :-)
This is such a brilliant review! I have a rather ridiculous tbr already, but I'm afraid I have to add another book to the list..! Would consider making a video taking about Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass and Lewis Caroll? You mentioned the references in this video, and what you said was enough to move me, so I'd love to hear you talking more about it! x
Oh I'm so excited! My copy is on pre-order and I can't wait to pick it up. 😀 fabulous review - given the hyper contemporaryness do you think this book will have the same power in years to come?
Tbh I hope the book doesn't resonate in the future because that would mean that readers in the future wouldn't be as aware of the refugee crisis (which would suggest that people had come together to find solutions), and wouldn't know about the political mutterings and bollocks that's going on right now (which would suggest that they'd stopped long ago). But I highly doubt that that's going to happen. So, I'm pretty sure that this book will have the same power (and possibly, in hindsight, more) x
It is indeed an audiobook :) I've actually never listened to Ali's books on audio but may give some a reread in this way. I think the style would really suit narration, as it's very fluid. x
Woop I just found it, it's lined up ready after my next read. I remember reading Girl Meets Boy and then listening to it on audio. The narration brought a whole new level to the book. Her writing, as you say, is so fluid and lyrical. I would deffo recommend a listen.
Jen when you like a book you really like a book yup it's Autumn how many of you reading this are going out and taking a look when this book comes out how many of you have preordered based on Jen's recommend. Jen has bysrs that's books you should read syndrome and she shares it with us thanks Jen. More Penny Slow.
Do you think that this book is best to read in the autumn time or it doesn't really matter? It is warming up here. Tying to decide if I should wait for next year to get the full effect.
You made me really curious about this book! But I'm not sure if I could fully comprehend all the references, especially to the EU Referendum. Would you say, that someone who is not British could still enjoy it?
Of course! It's not about the specific politics of the EU ref, it's about the age old argument of "us" vs "them" (whoever the 'us' and 'them' happen to represent), which is entirely universal.
Thanks! I'm definitely going to pick it up now. You really made it sound so wonderful and your excitement is transfering thorugh the screen :D if that makes sense^^
I think I will. Ether way - time to read it will be only in November if life doesn't decide otherwise. But I will let you now then if you are interested. :)
I went to her reading at the Edinburgh Book Festival, and one of the passages she chose to read from Autumn, the one where every sentence starts with "All across the country", had me in tears in the overcrowded tent-auditorium. I can't wait to read the whole thing
OH MY GOODNESS, Jen, this video has me so excited to read "Autumn!" It sounds absolutely amazing!
:) xx
I am very excited to read this. (And not only because the first line is a nod to Dickens.)
I am now reading Autumn and I just wanted to say that I really can relate to this review. Fascinating how alive and meaningful it all feels! Definitely it will become one of my favourites.
My goodness did you ever sell me on this book. Please trust that I will be picking up a copy. And please know that I will be picking up a copy because of this video! Thank you, Jen! Wonderful as always as always as always!
I also think it's about time I rewatch your Author Spotlight video on Ali Smith :D
Just finished this and came straight here to watch your review. What a wonderful book!
I LOOOVE the way you talk about the book
It's very fascinating to see this again after watching your video on Winter and just seeing how much you loved both. It's always a nice thing to come across someone who loves books as much as you do and just hearing you praise it. This is why I like you channel so, so much.
My best friend (and best co-conspirator in reading and writing) discovered you and sent me your "Jen Recommends" playlist as a starting point today, and I picked this video at random for my first go.
I don't know which of you to thank more.
This is, or rather you are marvelous. I love the way you love books, the way you talk about them.
Ecstatic to go through and binge your channel!
Best,
Steph
Thanks, Stephanie, and hello! x
Just finished this book and whilst I knew I loved it, I knew that some of the themes or ideas would have gone over my head. I actually paused midway and started some of my own research about Catherine Boty to make sense of some of the art ideas but I’m so glad I found your video as you’ve really wrapped up lots of ideas in the book for me that I was wondering about throughout, so thank you! I’m really looking forward to heading to winter next!
I loved this book so much. I can't really get my head around how every book she publishes is so extraordinary, and she writes them so quickly!
Also I have to dash out and I haven't finished watching yet (I will, obvs) so apologies if you reference this - but it also has allusions to Homer's Odyssey, particularly with the way Daniel washes up like Odysseus does. I feel like there's also a million references I didn't pick up on. You could probably write a PhD on just this book.
Also so powerful how the idyllic suddenly morphs into a beach with dead bodies washed up on the shore, and we're jolted from make believe to Tripoli/Syria. "You can dress it up all you want, but this shit is still happening." etc x
I'm reading the quartet back to back with a group, and I really enjoyed your thoughts on this one.
Fascinating. I've never read any Ali Smith books. I think it's about time to pick them up!
You're in for a treat x
I cannot wait to read this. I've never read any Ali Smith and I think starting with Autumn will be an amazing way to kick things off! Love you in your Weasley jumper! Xxx
Picked this book up because of the title and the cover, blown away and I’m obsessed and delighted about my find
Just stumbled on this and found your discussion both enthusiastic as well as engaging. The book itself at least initially sounded like a string of cliches, yet further on I was able to let that go and appreciate some of what you presented in the latter half of the review. Glad I found your post: will definitely check out your other work here. Thank you!
I think it’s so interesting how you connected race with Elisabeth having to explain herself. I did go back and forward on that topic while reading and it’s great to hear you talk about it so clearly. Really excited to read Winter the upcoming month! ✨
Oh yay! This makes me so happy. I've been looking forward to this for a while. I love the concept of this series, and your rave review makes look forward to it even more.
You are very good giving a strong impression of what the book is like without it being too much a spoiler. Also this sounds just amazing.
Oh my lord, I was already excited about this book and then you go and gush and talk about ideas and all that fun stuff. That was in depth and wow - I'm glad I have this book on pre-order.
Hurrah!
Sounds very interesting and I absolutely loved Arcadia so you haven't steered me wrong yet!
What I love about your reviews is that it always can be comprehendible and easy to follow. Keep this way of demonstration :)
Just finished the book. Loved it. Thanks for enhancing my understanding Jen with your brilliant insights and thought provoking interpretations 😊
Absolutely LOVE this video. I wish there were more analysis/review videos like this in the community. Definitely can't resist picking this up now.
Thanks for sharing Jen. When I first saw the title "Autumn" I'd thought the stories were going to be all warm and fuzzy, those that when I put the book down they'll make me go into a settling sleep with a smile on my face. But now it makes me wonder if it is a book about soul-searching of sorts, and what I fear most, that it may contain visuals that jog some of my most regretful memories.
It's not a collection of short stories; it's a novel and Ali Smith's novels (whilst I love them) are not warm and fuzzy - though they have those elements to them (as well as a whole host of other things) which is why they are so brilliant
Jen Campbell Thanks for the reply! I have always thought it is a collection of short stories until now :/ Guess I need to have my first dose of Ali Smith soon!
This is already on my to be purchased list, but now .. I'm so excited to read it when it arrives! Thanks for the review! xo
Thank you for this insightful discussion.
Well now I want to read this and Arcadia... also your jumper is wonderful! Very autumnal and Weasley-ish.
Watching this having just finished Autumn is incredibly enriching. Some of the symbols went over my head and I am thankful you made this video since I now feel an even deeper appreciation for Ali Smith and look forward to reading more of her work.
Glad you liked the video, Matt. I made one for Winter, too, if you’re reading that next x
"And my face is also attached to my head." Totally sold.
I've had this on preorder since it was announced, and hearing you say this I am so, so excited now
This makes me even more excited to read it - I have it pre-ordered and I can't wait!
Let me know what you think once you've read it :)
Well I knew a thing involving Ali Smith and autumn had to be a good thing, but this sounds even better than I thought and I frankly need it in my life!
You just made me so excited for the book! I have only read one other book by Ali Smith, which is the Accidental, but I think I will soon change that by picking up a copy of this book! Thanks for the lovely video!
you're welcome - and thank you x
Oooh I am saving this for after I have read it!
I've just finished this book and absolutely loved it!
It had been on my list for a while after hearing your recommendations, and I'm so glad I finally picked it up. I thought it would be difficult to get into, so it was left on my shelf for a while, but just as you said, it made me laugh out loud on public transport (particularly about the post office scene) and I was completely surprised by it :)
Thanks for this lovely review, you're definitely expanding my appreciation of this book!
Thank you so much for this video! I enjoyed this so very very much. Your thoughts are really interesting. I can't wait to read this when it comes out and then rewatch this video. I've been slowly making my way through all of Ali Smith's books over the past year or two.
Which are your favourites? :) x
I love How To Be Both. The way she talks about gender and sexuality in a way that's unapologetic and complicated made me feel like apologising for my identity wasn't necessary. And the same for Girl meets Boy. And I think Artful is just incredible. Ali Smith reminds me how much I love to think.
x
This is an amazing review, very informative and smart - thank you!
I love your in-depth analysis of books so much! You also really made me want to read this!
I hope you like it, if you decide to pick it up
Sounds great! I haven't stepped into Ali Smith yet but hopefully in the near future I will.
I read this book (as part of my reading The man booker long list) yesterday and I loved it for all the reasons you mentioned. It's funny you mentioned the post office scene, as I was in my local post office yesterday and I was trying to cash a postal order and by coincidence my passport had expired. I tried to give them my student card to back up the expired passport (they don't have a code on their ID system for student cards) in the end the girl said I will use the passport code as I can see it's obviously you 🙄 I could really relate to Elisabeth for whatever reason she was being challenged in the post office! Hilarious 😂
You've got me hooked again, Jen! I've just preordered a copy, I can't wait to get my hands on it haha! :)
I am definitely going to pick up this book. it sounds so interesting and your discussion made me more intrigued thanks for introducing such a brilliant literary work 😊
you're most welcome! I hope you love it, too :)
WOW I have just finished Autumn and now I see how much I've missed :) I've watched a lot of reviews of this book on youtube but I think this one is the best! Very interesting comments! :)
I have just started watching this review. Have put it off because I work at a fabulous bookshop, know I will want to listen to your recommendation and buy this book, but am also leaving to fly across the world in three weeks. Woops.
Yes, shit, I need this book in my life.
Looks like I'll be ordering this next!! Thanks Jen :)
-Allie xo
I went to the Edinburgh Book Festival and she read a few pages. It was beautiful and the way she talked about the themes made it even more interesting. I was so excited that I preordered it a few weeks ago (something I'd never done before)
By the way, she said how the beginning is based on the Odissey, but Shakespeare makes so much sense!
+Joan Marco it's so many things, as I said I could talk about if for a heck of a lot longer than 17mins, ha.
She is so good. Looking forward to this one!
You've done it again. Getting me to spend money lol. This was on my to buy list at sometime, but now its must buy. I've recently read her Public library and other stories and loved it. Very relevant for me as our book group are campaigning to stop further cuts to our library service. Autumn sounds equally apt following brexit.wish you were my English lit teacher I would have got A* you give so much food for thought. You far younger than me so realistically you couldn't have been but it would have been great. Hope you enjoyed Durham :-)
I did! I'm completely exhausted but it was fun. :) And libraries make an appearance in this book, too. Hope you love it!
Bought it, plus country of refuge 📚
Excellent choice!
This is such a brilliant review! I have a rather ridiculous tbr already, but I'm afraid I have to add another book to the list..!
Would consider making a video taking about Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass and Lewis Caroll? You mentioned the references in this video, and what you said was enough to move me, so I'd love to hear you talking more about it! x
I might do that in the future :) thanks x
This sounds amazing. I wish it was dropping in the U.S. soon. Alas, it won't be released here until February!
If you're waiting to buy in a US bookshop then hurrah - though if you can't wait and would like the UK edition, there's a link in the description :)
gah Jen you are going to bankrupt me. I need this book in my life. most of the books I pick up because of booktube are ones you've recommended
Oh I'm so excited! My copy is on pre-order and I can't wait to pick it up. 😀 fabulous review - given the hyper contemporaryness do you think this book will have the same power in years to come?
Tbh I hope the book doesn't resonate in the future because that would mean that readers in the future wouldn't be as aware of the refugee crisis (which would suggest that people had come together to find solutions), and wouldn't know about the political mutterings and bollocks that's going on right now (which would suggest that they'd stopped long ago). But I highly doubt that that's going to happen. So, I'm pretty sure that this book will have the same power (and possibly, in hindsight, more) x
Eve's Alexandria i
I just read Autumn and I loved it, but I definitely did not pick up on all these things. I wish I could read books the way you seem to!
Musr Read Book, oh please be on audio. Love this review, you've told us what to look out for without spoilers. Thank You for this x
It is indeed an audiobook :) I've actually never listened to Ali's books on audio but may give some a reread in this way. I think the style would really suit narration, as it's very fluid. x
(Also, I'm glad you think I glad the balance right - thank you x)
Woop I just found it, it's lined up ready after my next read. I remember reading Girl Meets Boy and then listening to it on audio. The narration brought a whole new level to the book. Her writing, as you say, is so fluid and lyrical. I would deffo recommend a listen.
cant wait for this and swing time by zadie smith
Enjoy!
I loved loved loved ypyr review of this book
thank you :)
What a strong review! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Jen when you like a book you really like a book yup it's Autumn how many of you reading this are going out and taking a look when this book comes out how many of you have preordered based on Jen's recommend. Jen has bysrs that's books you should read syndrome and she shares it with us thanks Jen. More Penny Slow.
Penny-Slow will be hibernating soon :)
It does sound amazing...
Jenn have you read tove jansson moomin books
+kevaughn Campbell yes :)
Do you think that this book is best to read in the autumn time or it doesn't really matter? It is warming up here. Tying to decide if I should wait for next year to get the full effect.
+Dee Sacco it doesn't matter; the season doesn't play a big part at all.
Jen Campbell well I need to read this straight away then
You made me really curious about this book! But I'm not sure if I could fully comprehend all the references, especially to the EU Referendum. Would you say, that someone who is not British could still enjoy it?
Of course! It's not about the specific politics of the EU ref, it's about the age old argument of "us" vs "them" (whoever the 'us' and 'them' happen to represent), which is entirely universal.
Thanks! I'm definitely going to pick it up now. You really made it sound so wonderful and your excitement is transfering thorugh the screen :D if that makes sense^^
You have a fan in Belgium, Brussels!
Done. Ordered!
:D hope you love it! x
I think I will. Ether way - time to read it will be only in November if life doesn't decide otherwise. But I will let you now then if you are interested. :)
Interesting that you use the phrase “reverting back”.
great video :)
don't miss it
You said this was set in the present but then she is offering to buy a VHS tape! Do young people even know what those things are any more!
+ImmaterialDigression it's set in the present with flashbacks/memories.
Unfortunately while i loved girl meets boy, everything else from her was a miss.