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Artful

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Artful

By: Ali Smith
Narrated by: Ali Smith
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About this listen

From the Man Booker Prize-shortlisted author of How to be both and the critically acclaimed Seasonal quartet

'Artful is a revelation; a new kind of book altogether . . . it could have only been written by Ali Smith. An intimate study of grief that makes you glad to be alive' Jackie Kay

'Playful and audacious' Independent

'Powerful and moving' London Review of Books

'Magical... Blending of criticism and fiction, Artful belongs in a genre of its own . . . Joyful for anyone interested in the art of writing, and living, well' Anita Sethi, New Statesman

Based on four electrifying lectures given by the author at Oxford University, and exploring the explosive connections between art, story, memory and grief - Artful is a tidal wave of ideas to blast away the cobwebs and change how you see the world

Narrated by a character who is haunted - literally - by a former lover, Artful slips slyly between fiction and essay, guiding the reader thrillingly through a sequence of ideas on art and literature. With Smith's trademark humour, inventiveness, poignancy and critical insight, this is unique experiment in form, style, life, love, death, immortality and what art can mean.

 Essays Literary History & Criticism Love, Dating & Attraction Relationships Fiction Yoga

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All stars
Most relevant
Although Artful is based on a series of lectures Ali Smith delivered, listeners should be warned that she includes a back story that positions them more as letters to a recently-deceased lover. For me, this was initially confusing, but once I caught on, I found the book fascinating and often wished I had a pencil and paper handy to jot down some of the many literary and cultural references that intrigued me. I found it an engrossing listen that I felt wasn't long enough. I would seriously consider listening to it again, and I almost *never* do that.

Initially confusing, ultimately engrossing

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What made the experience of listening to Artful the most enjoyable?

Hearing Ali Smith's quiet voice. There is an evocative intimacy in this listening experience which left me stunned sometimes, always better informed and most reluctant to cease listening.

What did you like best about this story?

Being educated about another's life and being made aware of more and even more, in spite of the fact that you are old, is an enormous, irreplaceable gift.

What about Ali Smith’s performance did you like?

Listening to a quiet voice full of restrained erudition, and often self deprecating whimsy is a joy.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Certainly one would hope to enjoy this in theory in one sitting but could you cope? Why would this be a measure of "success?" On the contrary, I meted out each part very carefully so it could be understood, enjoyed and to be respected.

Any additional comments?

Learn something, laugh and probably cry.

Poignant, erudite and a must listen

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Before this book, I think I have thought academia a waste of time....especially the study of literature and art. This unfurling of thought, infused with the magic of Synchronisity has totally undone my preconceptions.

It will inform my thinking for a long time and I might actually listen to it again...and probably again....it is so rich, I know I've barely touched the surface of it.

Thank you, people who brought this to fruition.

A feast of thought and art

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great writing and even better having been read by by author. I kept on rewinding to relisten to passages, thats how beautiful some sentences were

amazing

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Smith is a truly artful psychopomp, guiding the listener mercurially between wonderfully composed prose and poetry in this audiobook. Highly recommended.

Wonderful and moving Valkyrie of poetry and prose!

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