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MNHQ

July book of the month: Swing Time by Zadie Smith. Catch up on the webchat with Zadie

10 replies

RachelMumsnet · 28/06/2017 15:18

Our July book of the month is Zadie Smith's brilliant novel Swing Time. We hope you'll join us by reading the book ahead of the webchat with Zadie - on * Wednesday 2 August from 9pm *

Swing Time is Zadie's fifth novel and tells the story of two young girls who meet in a West London dance class. Find out more about the book.

If you didn't win a free copy, you're still welcome to join us by buying the book or downloading the e-book, or just posting a question to Zadie about her award-winning back catalogue.

July book of the month: Swing Time by Zadie Smith. Catch up on the webchat with Zadie
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MNHQ

RachelMumsnet · 04/07/2017 13:35

The giveaway is now closed and we'll notify those who have been allocated books by the end of the day. If you haven't been lucky this time buy a copy. It's out in paper back on 6 July for £6.29 or kindle edition (£7.99). Join us in reading this month ahead of the webchat with Zadie. As soon as we have confirmation of the webchat date we'll notify on this thread.

MNHQ

RachelMumsnet · 13/07/2017 14:16

We do apologise for the delay. We've chased the publisher who said they are awaiting books but they should be sent out imminently. We're also asking whether we can push the webchat date back slightly to give you more time to read. As soon as we have more info we'll post up on the thread.

MNHQ

RachelMumsnet · 25/07/2017 11:34

So pleased to hear the books have finally arrived. We're waiting to hear about a new date for the webchat with Zadie and will post on the thread as soon as we hear. Thanks for your patience!

MNHQ

RachelMumsnet · 27/07/2017 12:38

We've had confirmation from Penguin that Zadie will be joining us for the webchat on Thursday 3rd August at 9pm. That gives you just over a week to finish the book! Happy Reading and look forward to seeing you on this thread for the webchat next week.

MNHQ

RachelMumsnet · 27/07/2017 15:19

We've just had the word from Penguin that something has come up and Zadie can no longer do Thursday 3rd. She has agreed to join us however on Wednesday next week - so please put the date in your diary. Zadie Smith Webchat - Wednesday 2nd August, 9pm.

THANKS

MNHQ

RachelMumsnet · 27/07/2017 16:29

@Penygirl

That's a shame, I'll be on a caravan site without Internet on Wednesday!

Feel free to post a Q in advance for Zadie. We're sorry about the date changes - couldn't be helped this time I'm afraid.

MNHQ

UrsulaMumsnet · 02/08/2017 20:59

Good evening everyone! A huge welcome to Zadie Smith, and thank you so much for joining us tonight. It looks like you've all been enjoying Swing Time and there are lots of questions already so let's get started. Over to you Zadie...

MNHQ

UrsulaMumsnet · 02/08/2017 21:00

It did! We can hear you loud and clear!

MNHQ

UrsulaMumsnet · 02/08/2017 21:32

Hi Zadie,

I know there are quite a few questions coming in live, but I just wanted to post a few from posters further up the thread that might get missed:

Sumac - how do you stay so finely attuned to London ways and attitudes when you spend a lot of time in America?

Paloolah - My questions for Zadie are:

  1. Did you do a lot of research about the history of dance and musicals, or is this an area you were already expert in?
  2. As you are drawn back to Willesden, have any of the same characters living there appeared in more than one of your novels? Or have you ever been tempted to do this?

GhostsToMonsoon -

  1. The idea of revenge seems to occur a few times - the narrator retaliating at Aimee for firing her, which in turn was Aimee getting back at her for sleeping with Lamin, and then Tracey posting the childhood video to show the narrator in an unflattering light. Was this something you wanted to explore in particular?
MNHQ

UrsulaMumsnet · 02/08/2017 21:58

Well, I think that's it! Thank you so much Zadie for your thoughtful answers and for getting through so many questions. It's a been a joy to have you for this hour. Good luck with the Booker! We'll be rooting for you.

For those of you interested in Zadie's previous books, you can buy NW here, On Beauty here, and White Teeth here. There are others too!

Night all

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