Swing time Zadie Smith

[Whatshouldmyusernamebe]

I am really enjoying this. About halfway through. I've read White Teeth and On Beauty but can't remember them. Anyone else reading it?

Really want to know the main characters/narrators name!

I read it in holiday and really enjoyed it - I especially liked the way the complex relationship between the two girls was depicted, and the details of a 1980's childhood. The bits in Africa grabbed me less, but we're still enjoyable, just less evocative. Yes it irritated me never finding out the main character's name!

On and were!

Just finished. So strange isn't it. I loved the main character. She just seemed to always live in the shadow of others. Her mum, Tracy then Aimee and even Hawa.

I'm reading it at the moment and enjoying it - I agree the childhood parts are the best. I hadn't thought about not knowing her name, but it's going to bug me now!

Is Aimee meant to be Madonna!

I enjoyed this book but thought that the childhood part was the best section.

Yes I agree. Some of the sections set in Africa dragged on a bit.

Have to agree on the stuff set in Africa, but otherwise a terrific book that's one of the best novels I've read for quite some time.

I agree. It was so engrossing. I feel at a loss now!

Just finished this - after seeing the recommendations on here - and loved it.

Found it a really interesting cultural commentary, thought the characters beautifully drawn. I enjoyed all the sections.

For shame though I didn't even notice she didn't have a name. And...not sure about the ending...she's going to be a friend to Tracey? Is this what's meant here?

I didn't realise that we don't know here name until about 50 pages before the end when she meets Tracey's kids and one of them asks who she is. But I loved the book.

I enjoyed On Beauty but haven't read White Teeth - is it worth the read?

I think I liked White Teeth. Can't remember!

I loved this book. I went to the same school as ZS (different year) and love reading her novels as they are so evocative of where I grew up/my teenage years, especially now I've left London.

Did anyone else look for the videos of any of the dances she describes? I did, and someone has put together a YouTube list - it really helped me enjoy the book http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaMyInuR5cWckRCD1XIK91lBnDUMc9EV-

I'm just over halfway through this, was looking to see if there was a discussion here! Enjoying it so much, I haven't read anything else by her and I'm so impressed by the writing. Finding I have to read it really carefully so as not to miss any of the information she slips in so quickly.