Autumn

AUTUMN

by Ali Smith

 

Nominations: Booker Finalist 2017, NY Times Finalist 2017

 

Date Read: September 12, 2023

 

Part fantasy, part reality, Autumn is an interesting exploration of modern society, a friendship that transcends age, politics, art and love. Elizabeth, after a pretty funny and painfully accurate depiction of applying for a passport, goes to visit Daniel in an assisted living facility. He was once her neighbor and influenced her chosen profession in art history. 

 

Smith places this story in current time, discussing the broader implications of Brexit and the facets of British society that are changing as a result. Further in the novel, mysterious electrified fences appear and Elizabeth’s mother is arrested for throwing junk at them. Instead of being deterred, her mother is empowered and begins gathering more junk. These fences serve as a symbol of how citizens have isolated themselves from the greater world.

 

Daniel, in a historical flashback, remembers his greatest love Pauline Broty. She was an artist specializing in pop art and made a cameo in Alfie (the original). Broty had painted a portrait of Christine Keeler, who was in and out of court. I don’t know who any of these people are and perhaps if I was British I would have got more out of these references.

 

Overall, Smith’s writing is magical and gifted. The content, though, was somewhat over my head. I’m hoping for more connection (for me) in subsequent works. 

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