Dead and Alive

Hardback Published on: 30/10/2025
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Synopsis

An illuminating new essay collection from one of the most distinctive, exciting and acclaimed writers of her generation, Zadie Smith.

In this keenly awaited new collection, Zadie Smith brings her unique skills as an essayist to bear on a range of subjects which have captured her attention in recent years. She takes an exhilaratingly close look at artists Toyin Ojih Odutola and Celia Paul. She invites us along to the movies, to see and to think about Tar, and to Glastonbury to witness the ascendance of Stormzy. She asks us to look again at the young Michael Jackson and to mourn with her the passing of writers Joan Didion, Martin Amis, Hilary Mantel, Philip Roth and Toni Morrison. And she shows us once again her unrivalled ability to think through critically and humanely some of the most urgent preoccupations and tendencies of our troubled times.

Publisher information

  • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
  • ISBN: 9780241729595
  • Number of pages: 352
  • Dimensions: 244 x 163 x 34 mm
  • Weight: 578g
  • Languages: English

Customer Reviews

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Dead and Alive
An interesting mix of essays
As usual I find, with essays, that I really enjoy some and others just don't resonate. I think it would be strange if I was fascinated by everything anothe... READ MORE
Kateoshea
Dead and Alive
Wide Ranging and Always Engaging
A wide ranging and always interesting collection of essays by Zadie Smith. I particularly loved the section of essays exploring art and artists. I also enj... READ MORE
Katy Wheatley
Dead and Alive
Five Stars!
Dead and Alive is an exceptional and thought-provoking collection that once again proves why Zadie Smith is one of the most perceptive voices in contempora... READ MORE
The Secret Book Review
Dead and Alive
Really strong collection
I think we should be grateful that essay collections like Zadie Smith’s are still being published. They seem a slightly old-fashioned idea in the world of ... READ MORE
Michael Jopling
This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.
Dead and Alive
A mixed bag of essays
Interesting opinions that are thought-provoking, often serious and reflective sometimes funny. There is a nice economy and eloquence to the writing on Art,... READ MORE
Sophie Artemis
Dead and Alive
Varied and well written
Dead and Alive by Zadie Smith is an eclectic collection of essays covers a variety of topics. It includes essays on the work of Toni Morrison, Joan Didion,... READ MORE
Ihuoma
This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.
Dead and Alive
Interesting Mix of Essays
Thank you to the publishers for this review copy, it was an interesting mix of essays to read. Some of course I enjoyed reading more than others but I thi... READ MORE
Fiona Sharp
Dead and Alive
A book well worth reading whatever your beliefs or opinions are
This collection of essays was my introduction to the writing of Zadie Smith. It covers a wide range of topics and is both stimulating and enlightening. Th... READ MORE
Richard Angrave
Dead and Alive
Invitational, challenging, discursive and nuanced
What a very fine writer, thinker and human embracing complexity Zadie Smith is. The foreword to this excellent collection of essays is both clear, truthful... READ MORE
Lady Fancifull
This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.
Dead and Alive
Keep it by the Bed!
This is a collection of essays written over the last ten years or so by Zadie Smith, grouped under some rather optimistic headings. It’s a varied collectio... READ MORE
Jim Sweetman
This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.
Dead and Alive
Invitational, challenging, discursive and nuanced
What a very fine writer, thinker and human embracing complexity Zadie Smith is. The foreword to this excellent collection of essays is both clear, truthful... READ MORE
Lady Fancifull