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Ali Smith, The Accidental - has anyone persevered with this?

40 replies

MrsMuddle · 10/11/2006 22:41

I'm trying so hard to like this. I liked the cover, I liked the blurb, but I'm finding it realy difficult to read. I admit that my attention span's not that great, but I feel like I'm reading a foreign language. Has anyone finished it? Does it get better?

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Clarinet60 · 09/02/2007 09:58

I loved it, but I'm used to Ali Smith's style and think she's a v. clever lady. I can see why it wouldn't be to everyone's taste, but I admire her for not sticking to the ordinary. She really socks the characters to you.

Sheraz · 04/02/2007 19:19

Didn't think it was that great.

ivelostmyboobsboohoo · 04/02/2007 19:17

i've almost finished it, but i dont think i'm 'getting' it. i thounght i was but now i'm not too sure...

EnidLloydFoxe · 04/02/2007 19:12

I loved it! Have just finished it. Thought the writing was fantastic.

notnigella · 21/12/2006 22:54

did persevere with the accidental but was a bit of a waste of time as it really wasnt worth it. stayed up til 1am last night finishing kevin though, which was riveting. any other reccomendations?

cardy · 15/11/2006 10:59

It is in paperback - but £10.99! Order it from the library.

NotQuiteCockney · 15/11/2006 10:50

I'll ask for it for Xmas, if it's out in paperback. I did really love Kevin. Well, maybe not "love", but I was certainly engrossed in it ...

cardy · 15/11/2006 10:42

It's after 'Kevin' (I loved it too) and it's not at all like 'Kevin'. I wouldn't really recommended it, however I would like to hear what others make of it.

doggiesayswoof · 14/11/2006 13:58

Wow, surprised so many of you didn't like it. I absolutely loved it. Actually I remember reading the first page, with the girl filming the dawn, and looking up at dh with a big grin saying I'm going to love this book. Really good characters, all the family relationships were really convincing IMO. Just really liked the way it was written and the whole premise.

NotQuiteCockney · 14/11/2006 13:51

Oooh, is that from before Kevin? Or after? I really loved Kevin ... is it at all similar?

cardy · 14/11/2006 13:13

I did stick with it (unusual for me) and I kind of got used to it and the style of writing after a while. I am glad I finished it.

I am feeling a bit the same about Double Fault by Lional Shriver...half way through it and just don't see the point. Anybody?

clerkKent · 14/11/2006 13:05

Oh no! Codspeak! That is what happens when I don't check.

clerkKent · 14/11/2006 13:04

Thabnks NQC - I ahv eseen it. I can't believe how quickly you get through books!

I am reading Amsterdam, Ian McEwan atm (Booker winner in 1997).

NotQuiteCockney · 14/11/2006 12:53

clerkKent, there's a thread on this year's Booker list. I'm working my way through it, too, bit by bit.

clerkKent · 14/11/2006 12:50

Well I liked it and I liked The Sea (and I have just had this year's Booker List for a birthday present).

ProfessorGrammaticus · 13/11/2006 21:18

Oohhhh right! Thanks!

FrannyandZooey · 12/11/2006 21:03

I thought I had maybe read this but I don't remember it. I really did like Hotel World. I think.

NotQuiteCockney · 12/11/2006 20:55

(I haven't read reviews, and am not generally a book-analysis person, but I do think I've got the idea below, under the stolen-spoiler-warning text.)

DarrellRivers · 12/11/2006 20:53

Oh thanks NQC, I thought that's what must have been the idea, but wondered if I had missed anything.
The Sea was beautifully written, I agree.
Am getting the new Booker Prize list this Christmas hopefully

marymillington · 12/11/2006 20:50

I loved reading this book, was totally gripped by the writing....but then completely missed the point of the ending and I still need someone to explain it to me.

MrsSpoon · 12/11/2006 20:46

I chucked this too and I tend to persevere with books but just couldn't get to grips with this at all. I did finish The Sea, found it beautifully written and a great aid to sleep in the evening but pretty plotless.

NotQuiteCockney · 12/11/2006 20:45

God, yeah, I couldn't stand The Sea. Didn't it win?

I'm midway through this year's booker prize, there's a thread somewhere ...

NotQuiteCockney · 12/11/2006 20:44

Spoiler, spoiler, spoiler, I made it out of text, spoiler, spoiler, spoiler, It hides what happens next!, Spoiler, spoiler, spoiler, I made it out of text, spoiler, spoiler, spoiler, It hides what happens next!, Spoiler, spoiler, spoiler, I made it out of text, spoiler, spoiler, spoiler, It hides what happens next!

(Just in case anyone who's reading is in the middle of this book!)

She was the same as the mother - she just wandered in. Her name wasn't true. None of it was true. At the end, you see that the mother is going to do the same thing to another family, shake it up, reveal the truths etc etc.

DarrellRivers · 12/11/2006 20:39

Oh I read this when I was doing the booker prize short list, and I did quite enjoy the way the story was told by all the different characters, BUT I didn't get the point of the book.
It was all a bit confusing.
The worse book surely for nothing really ever happening for most of it was The Sea /John Banville

ProfessorGrammaticus · 12/11/2006 20:33

I couldn't really make sense of it - NQC can you help a bit? Who was the bloody woman? Or is the point that she was different things to different people?