Bookseller Reviews
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Hidden histories and the power of the pen.
This is an intelligent, fascinating, moving and often hilarious historical novel from Zadie Smith. It brings to life the true, rather mind boggling story o... READ MORE
A historical setting but still 100% Zadie
The prospect of a first historical novel from Zadie Smith might have readers wondering why the change and what the reading experience might be like. Don't ... READ MORE
Wonderfully written, an intricate and fantastic story
I absolutely loved this novel! It's no secret that Zadie Smith is a fantastic author, and her first historical novel is just fantastic. Her ability to pain... READ MORE
Brilliant!
I inhaled this book! Having only ever read ‘White Teeth’ before this, my expectations were high - and this completely met them. I fell in love with these c... READ MORE
The perfect slow build that crescendos beautifully.
Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this book.
My favourite Zadie Smith novel to date. I loved the historical truths and relevance and fe... READ MORE
Classic Zadie
I will read anything Zadie Smith writes having been a fangirl for as long as I can remember. When I found out her new novel was to be historical fiction wi... READ MORE
Vivid and moving
This is the first Zadie Smith I've read and it didn't disappoint! Her characters are wonderfully complex and interesting, and I enjoyed spending time in th... READ MORE
Why Haven't I Read Zadie Smith Before? The Fraud is 2023's Most Vibrant Historical Fiction Novel!
The Fraud is a historical fiction novel that follows the lesser-known Victorian novelist, William Ainsworth, his (non-blood related) cousin, maid, and love... READ MORE
Zadie Smith’s first historical novel centres around the real-life trial of the Tichborne Claimant, in which a cockney butcher claims the Tichborne baronetcy. Andrew Bogle, a former slave, is the star witness. Weaving together Victorian London with the sugar cane plantations of Jamaica, this is a tantalising and enthralling read.
Synopsis
Truth and fiction. Jamaica and Britain. Who gets to tell their story?
In her first historical novel, Zadie Smith transports the reader to a Victorian England transfixed by the real-life trial of the Tichborne Claimant, in which a cockney butcher, recently returned from Australia, lays claim to the Tichborne baronetcy, with his former slave Andrew Bogle as star witness. Watching the proceedings, and with her own story to tell, is Eliza Touchet – cousin, housekeeper and perhaps more – to failing novelist William Harrison Ainsworth.
From literary London to the Jamaica’s sugar-cane plantations, Zadie Smith weaves an enthralling story linking the rich and the poor, the free and the enslaved, and the comic and the tragic.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
- ISBN: 9780241983096
- Number of pages: 464
- Dimensions: 196 x 130 x 27 mm
- Weight: 322g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allA dazzling historical novel..
The Fraud” is Smith’s first historical novel. She cleverly creates a perfect Victorian novel, employing modern ideas. That results in a comprehensive blen... READ MORE
Disappointed
I expected so much more due to all the hype. Not for me.
The Willesden claimant takes on the Victorian novel
On many fronts: she takes on the length - this book is a sizeable 450 pages, divided period style into a number of volumes. She takes on the novelists them... READ MORE
A Clever & Interesting Historical Novel
Zadie Smith’s first historical novel is loosely based on the life of the Victorian novelist William Harrison Ainsworth, who in the 1830’s was as popular as... READ MORE
An extraordinary work of historical literary fiction
My thanks to Penguin Group U.K. Hamish Hamilton for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Fraud’ by Zadie Smith. I complemented my reading with its unabridged audi... READ MORE
Clever, Smart and Funny
Zadie Smith's first historical novel is wonderful. It's nice to see Willesden being represented, even in Victorian times. The novel takes as its inspiratio... READ MORE
Powerful and challenging
There is never any doubt of the literary power of Zadie Smith- over the last two decades she has written some of the most richly descriptive/plotted and t... READ MORE
Victorian tour-de-force, Zadie Smith's trademark wit and intelligence
The Fraud
by Zadie Smith
Smith's first foray into historical fiction, and what better period to exercise her particular brand of "hysterical realism" than... READ MORE
Fascinating
The Fraud is well-researched historical fiction set in Victorian England, based on the lives of several real people.
We follow Eliza Touchet, the cousin... READ MORE
Killed the mood
The Fraud began entertainingly, with lively and interesting characters, but later felt like a (very) long lecture. Perhaps Zadie Smith had endured someone ... READ MORE
Staccato Chapters are a bit of a trial
I don't know what to make of this book. It feels disjointed because it flits through time in short, clipped chapters. If this is literary aspiration, it ... READ MORE
Painful
Thrown it in the bin halfway through. Would not wish this book on anyone and I’m into historical fiction.
Painful, clumsy and cliched.
Boring
I persevered with this book but it must be the most boring book I’ve read.
Amazing
A brilliant writer is at the height of her powers here.
Awful
I persevered with this one but have to say that it was terrible. Hard to follow and at times made no sense at all.
A Staggering Accomplishment
I expect prizes for this one. A detailed and staggering book about Victorian England from the perspective of Mrs Touchet, cousin and lover of a mostly forg... READ MORE
Looking forward to reading it
A friend has recommended this. She really enjoyed it. I’ve not had a chance to read yet.
*yawn*
Wow. That was… dull.
This story centres around the real 19th century identity theft of Lord Tichburn - a fascinating criminal case which I’m rather fam... READ MORE
Too much?
It was a race to finish this. Not because I was invested in the ending- but it was an exhausting read due to navigating different periods of time, countrie... READ MORE
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