51 pages • 1 hour read
Zadie SmithOn Beauty
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2005A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
On Beauty by Zadie Smith follows the Belsey family, dealing with internal and external conflicts involving race, identity, and personal relationships. Howard Belsey, an art historian, and his wife Kiki navigate marital strife, while their children Jerome, Zora, and Levi grapple with their cultural identities. The family's complexities are heightened by Howard's feud with Monty Kipps, a conservative academic whose values clash with the Belseys'.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Zadie Smith's On Beauty is praised for its sharp wit, complex characters, and exploration of cultural and personal identity. Critics admire its nuanced portrayal of family dynamics and the clash of liberal and conservative ideals. Some find its pacing uneven and its conclusion lacking resolution. Overall, it is lauded as a thought-provoking and richly textured novel.
Who Should Read On Beauty?
A reader who would enjoy On Beauty by Zadie Smith likely appreciates complex family dynamics, sharp social commentary, and rich character development. Fans of E.M. Forster's Howards End or Jeffrey Eugenides's Middlesex will find similar themes of cultural clash and identity. The novel appeals to those who enjoy exploring race, class, and aesthetics in modern society.