Why people recommend it
How to Be Both by Ali Smith is a structurally inventive and critically acclaimed novel that explores identity, art, and time through two distinct narratives that readers can experience in either order. The book received discussion on The Book Review podcast in July 2024. During the episode titled Rethinking the Tangled Tree of Life, guest A.O. Scott brought up the work while discussing his reading history with the author, describing it as a wonderful and strange hybrid essay novel. In another episode titled Neil Gaimans Myths, host Gilbert Cruz also referenced the title when talking to Sarah Lyle, reminding listeners that the publication had profiled Ali Smith the previous year around the time her previous book, How to Be Both, was released. These discussions underscored the unique literary footprint of Smith's creation, framing it as a memorable entry in her broader bibliography that left a lasting impression on critics and reviewers alike.
Who recommended it
- Gilbert Cruz Discussed
- A.O. Scott Discussed
Gilbert Cruz — 1 mention
“you profiled Ali Smith last year when her previous book came out how to be both”
A.O. Scott — 1 mention
“the previous book of hers I had read is a wonderful kind of strange hybrid essay novel called how to be both”