Spring
'A dazzling hymn to hope’ Observer
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Penguin Books Ltd
Published:12th Mar '20
Should be back in stock very soon
This paperback is available in other editions too:
- Paperback - Signed Edition£9.99(9780241973356-S)
- Hardback£16.99(9780241207048)
This third installment of Ali Smith's acclaimed Seasonal Quartet explores themes of love, time, and politics, weaving together past and present through a narrative that emphasizes hope and connection amidst change.
Spring, the third installment in Ali Smith's acclaimed Seasonal Quartet, is a profound exploration of themes such as love, time, art, and politics, all woven together in the context of contemporary life. This novel connects a diverse range of figures and ideas, from Katherine Mansfield and Charlie Chaplin to Shakespeare and the complexities of Brexit. Through these connections, Smith examines how the past and present intersect, creating a rich tapestry of voices that reflect the multifaceted nature of human experience.
In Spring, Smith tells a compelling story that resonates with the current climate of uncertainty and change. Drawing inspiration from Shakespeare's Pericles, she navigates the challenges of modern existence, characterized by walls and lockdowns, while simultaneously opening the door to hope and renewal. The narrative poses essential questions about the evolving nature of storytelling in a world that is continually shifting, suggesting that even amidst turmoil, the essence of hope remains constant.
As part of the Seasonal Quartet, Spring invites readers to reflect on the interconnectedness of life and the resilience of the human spirit. It stands as a testament to Smith's skill as a storyteller, offering a vibrant and thought-provoking experience. With its infectious energy and warmth, this novel is not only a celebration of spring but also a reminder of the enduring power of stories to bridge divides and inspire hope.
Luminous, generous, hope-filled... The third book in Ali Smith's seasonal quartet is her best yet, a dazzling hymn to hope, uniting the past and present with a chorus of voices... [Ali Smith] is lighting us a path out of the nightmarish now * Observer *
Is there a writer so critically acclaimed and universally beloved? ...Autumn, Winter and Spring are stories of the unlikely connections human beings can make and the cost exacted when those connections are broken. They are state of the nation novels which understand that the nation is you, is me, is all of us: the nation is our choices, our fears, our losses... [Ali Smith] is the national novelist we need in 2019 * New Statesman *
An astonishing accomplishment and a book for all seasons * Independent *
Smith is a masterful storyteller... Spring is political but Smith is more concerned with the human fallout of current affairs then the machinations of elites... Through her account of unlikely friendships, Smith brings human values to the fore. Savour it, because there is just one instalment left * Evening Standard *
Spring weaves a story around the most pressing issues of our time... [A] bubbling, babbling brook of a book...Smith tells stories in a voice you can't help but listen to * The Times *
A powerful vision of lost souls in a divided Britain... As Smith's Seasonal Quartet moves towards completion her own role in British fiction looks ever more vital. The final page proclaims spring 'the great connective'. It's not a bad description of Smith herself * Guardian *
Beguiling... The eagerly awaited third instalment * Financial Times *
Infectious in its energy and warmth * Daily Telegraph *
Just when things were starting to look really bad, along comes the third instalment in Ali Smith's seasonal quartet to lift us out of the gloom... An extraordinary embodiment of the ways in which storytelling connects us... The work of Katherine Mansfield and Rilke, Greek myths and the propulsive lyricism of spring itself, thread together in narratives of loss and rejuvenation * Daily Mail *
The third of her exceptional Seasonal quartet, which riffs back and forth with Autumn and Winter to expound on the importance of hope to move us beyond the darkest of times * I paper *
ISBN: 9780241973356
Dimensions: 197mm x 128mm x 20mm
Weight: 245g
352 pages