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Intimations

Six Essays

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Deeply personal and powerfully moving, a short and timely series of essays on the experience of lockdown, by one of the most clear-sighted and essential writers of our time

From the critically acclaimed author of Feel Free, Swing Time, White Teeth and many more

'There will be many books written about the year 2020: historical, analytic, political and comprehensive accounts. This is not any of those - the year isn't half-way done. What I've tried to do is organize some of the feelings and thoughts that events, so far, have provoked in me, in those scraps of time the year itself has allowed. These are above all personal essays: small by definition, short by necessity.'

Crafted with the sharp intelligence, wit and style that have won Zadie Smith millions of fans, and suffused with a profound intimacy and tenderness in response to these unprecedented times, Intimations is a vital work of art, a gesture of connection and an act of love - an essential book in extraordinary times.

© Zadie Smith 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

 Art & Literature Authors Politics & Government Women

Critic reviews

As well as offering a new guide to living in a wild, messy and unfair world, Smith provides a reminder that we can use this crisis to imagine a better one
Smith has the gift that she attributed to Nabokov, years ago, of making any reader of her work feel they are engaged in a creative act, discoveringthe felicities of her writing.
All stars
Most relevant
Zadie Smith reading her own thoughts and analysis of current events and issues absolutely captivated my thinking. A must read for anyone wanting to understand empathy, contempt and suffering in the context of 2020. Cleverly managing to both leave me feeling heard and inspired to do better without feeling overindulged or scolded respectively.

Profound and important

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This is just what's needed right now. Conclusive reflection of the fully known. Very enjoyable.

Incredible

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This is a great read and a vivid, heartfelt reflection on the extraordinary times we're living in. They'll make kids and students read this on their history courses in the future. I thought 'Postscript: Contempt As A Virus' in particular was absolutely excellent and all the better for being so angry.

Brilliant

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I have always loved Zadie more as a person than her writings. Probably because I am not her demographic. But I love to hear her interviews.

She is an hamronious paradox - both serious and fun, so sensitive and strong, academic and all about pop culture, so honest about parenting challenges, never blowing her own horn in any way.

My point is that this is the first book she came across to me like I feel her in the interviews. More universal than the other two I have tried. And the fact that she is reading is 🌟
You can also hear her singing voice.

Oh! Her students are so lucky! ❤️

Touching

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This is one of the most powerfully provocative things I have ever read. I love the humanity, the holding of despair before us and in places the relief of humourous absurdity which Zadie Smith achieves. I am now required ever more to examine the delusions which I have so loyally served.

A real "test of my physical and moral courage"

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