Why people recommend it
Swing Time by Zadie Smith is a sweeping novel that follows the complex, lifelong friendship of two girls who dream of being dancers, tracing their divergent paths across London and West Africa. On an episode of The Ezra Klein Show titled Zadie Smith on Populists, Frauds and Flip Phones, which aired on September 17, 2024, host Ezra Klein strongly urged his audience to explore the author's previous writing. Klein mentioned Swing Time alongside other prominent titles in her bibliography, remarking that he almost envied anyone who had not yet experienced those books for the first time. His commentary emphasized the sheer quality and impact of Smith's storytelling across her entire career. Swing Time uses rhythm, music, and geography to explore themes of race, class, and cultural envy. Klein's enthusiastic endorsement framed the novel as an indispensable entry point into the celebrated author's fictional universe, encouraging listeners to dive deep into her rich narrative back catalog.
Who recommended it
- Ezra Klein Recommended
Ezra Klein — 1 mention
“if you've not read her back catalog like white teeth and on beauty and swing time I almost Envy you”