Spotlight on Zadie Smith

By Zalak Shah, Ana Cecilia Matute, Konstantopoulou, Caroline Dowse and Megan Cradock

Zadie Smith is one of the most influential Black voices in contemporary literature. Born in North London to a Jamaican mother and an English father, her upbringing in a multicultural neighbourhood has heavily inspired her literary works and world views. Known for her complex characters, exploration of identity, race, cultural conflict and belonging, Zadie Smith is a beloved author of her generation. Her wit, sharp writing and insights on societal issues have captivated readers, leaving a mark in the literary world.

Her first book, White Teeth was published in 2000 and was an instant success. Since then, her published works have spanned across novels, short stories, plays and essays. Her last novel, Fraud, was published in 2023 and as a historical fiction – it depicts a legal trial that divided Victorian England. Along with her author status, Smith has also taught creative writing at Columbia University and New York University, inspiring the next generation of writers. Her works have earned her numerous accolades and awards, including the Orange Prize for Fiction. She has also been shortlisted for the Booker Prize and Women’s Prize for Fiction. 

Her fearless writing and challenging voice have made her an important author, tackling topics difficult to touch on. Her work poses questions surrounding race, identity, authenticity and immigration. The immense significance that these themes hold will not be ignored in an era when justice waits to be recognised, and representation lurks in every corner. 

Ever since the earlier days of literature, specific groups have been pigeonholed and it is a relief to witness these walls breaking down today. For example, during the nineteenth century, renowned authors such as Charlotte Brontë protected their reputation by using pen names for their authorship; she and her sisters used a pseudonymous surname, Bell. Representation today is also important for societal groups belonging to different races, those that seek their own spot to share their individual voice – the autobiography of Olaudah Equiano set an early example when it was published in 1789. Smith, in her turn, has and continues to inspire a generation of authors and Black voices. 

Zadie Smith’s Writing

Over the years, Smith has shared many tips for writing. Here are some of the most interesting ones you can try:

• The first twenty pages are essential for understanding the entire novel or piece of writing you are working on. Smith said these pages establish the plot, characters and structure.

• Confidence should be the thing you are most certain of as a writer, Zadie says.

• Read other novels while you write. This may not apply to everyone, but if you’re a writer who enjoys support, it can inspire your sensibility and help you continue your process. Smith finds writing to be an activity that goes along with reading.

• Don’t wait for the right or perfect moment to write. There may be many distractions, but focusing on writing is key to achieving your goal, and the one Smith remembers constantly.

• Quotes from other writers can inspire your writing process. Among those Smith mentioned, Jacques Derrida is one of the most frequently mentioned authors.

  
  

Here are a couple of Zadie Smith’s best-known novels:

White Teeth (2000) 

White Teeth is a multi-generational story following the lives of two families in late 20th century Britain, as they navigate life in a multicultural society.

The story follows the Joneses and the Iqbals, as both parents and children fall in love, and make life and career decisions that affect their relationships with each other. At the centre of it all are the two patriarchs, Archibald Jones and Samed Iqbal, who have had an enduring friendship since meeting during the Second World War – but that friendship is tested when an old betrayal comes to light.

White Teeth was Zadie Smith’s debut novel and won a number of awards. It is typical of Smith’s style – intricately plotted, with memorable characters and a focus on identity and race. For anyone looking to try Zadie Smith’s work, White Teeth is a good place to start.

On Beauty (2005) 

On Beauty is set in Wellington, a fictional place near Boston, Massachusetts, and follows two families, the Belseys and the Kipps. Dr. Howard Belsey teaches at Wellington College and is obsessed by his long-running scholarly feud with another academic, Professor Monty Kipps, the two disagreeing on a number of issues, from interpreting Rembrandt to beliefs about race, politics and faith.

Meanwhile, Kiki Belsey is trying to forgive Howard for his past infidelity and struggling with the fact that her family's life revolves around her husband's academic career, a man who, so focused on arguing with Monty Kipps, is entirely oblivious to how out-of-place Kiki feels in not only their neighbourhood, but also their life together. 

As the lives of the two families become increasingly entangled, relationships begin to implode. Zadie Smith effortlessly weaves discussions of race, academia and politics into the narrative, while also interrogating the theme of identity and considering how humans both embrace and falter in the face of their flaws.