Why people recommend it
Glyph by Ali Smith is a contemporary novel that captures the complexities of the modern sociopolitical landscape. On The Book Review podcast in July 2026, Jill Lepore discussed the title during an episode titled Jill Lepore on What to Read This Fourth of July. Lepore recommended Ali Smith's novel as an ideal text to explain the current political moment, noting that the book is set in the United States and was published in 2024. Earlier, on the January 2025 episode titled The Books We’re Excited About in Early 2025, Juman Katib also highlighted the publication of Ali Smith's dystopian work, introducing the text to listeners eagerly anticipating new literary releases. Both commentators underscored the relevance and timeliness of Smith's writing, drawing attention to its unique narrative perspective and its place within the broader contemporary literary conversation. Through these mentions on The Book Review, the novel gained significant visibility among readers looking for insightful fiction that directly engages with the pressing questions and tensions of contemporary American society, making it a notable recommendation across multiple episodes of the podcast.
Who recommended it
- Jill Lepore Recommended
- Juman Katib Recommended
Jill Lepore — 1 mention
“So, in answer to the problem of what book explains the moment that we're in, I thought of Ali Smith's Glyph. Glyph with two F's is from 2024. It's It's even set in the United States, right?”
Juman Katib — 1 mention
“so this is glyph”