“It was the worst of times, it was the worst of times.”
No. The above isn’t a description of me reading Autumn. It’s actually the opening line. Autumn was published in 2016, the year of the Brexit referendum in the UK. And it seems Ali Smith had a few frustrations, which needed to get out.
“Elisabeth wonders what’s going to happen to all the care assistants. She realizes she hasn’t so far encountered a single care assistant here who isn’t from somewhere else in the world. That morning on the radio she’d heard a spokesperson say, but it’s not just that we’ve been rhetorically and practically encouraging the opposite of integration for immigrants to this country. It’s that we’ve been rhetorically and practically encouraging ourselves not to integrate. We’ve been doing this as a matter of self-policing since Thatcher taught us to be selfish and not just to think but to believe that there’s no such thing as society.”
Autumn is much more than a post-Brexit novel, though. At times, I wondered if it tries to cover too many themes, many of which don’t naturally flow into a coherent narrative.
But perhaps, a coherent narrative isn’t really the main objective here. The Seasonal Quartet is meant to depict Britain in a short moment – a season – in time.
This links into the fragmented storyline, which constantly jumps between characters, between topics and between time periods. The friendship between two of the key characters, Elisabeth and Daniel, does to some extent bind it together, but the novel still feels a bit like a collection of observations and social / political commentary rather than a fully fledged story.
Considering this is a relatively short book, it took me a while to get into it.
To begin with, we are introduced to Daniel in a completely surreal chapter, which made me think, I’d downloaded the wrong book.
Then follows a comedy chapter taking place at the post office, where Elisabeth experiences endless bureaucracy and inefficiency when trying to sort out the paperwork for her passport renewal. It was quite entertaining, but actually too close to home to be really funny. As one of the many foreigners who had to navigate the British system for the first time (and solve the classic conundrum of needing a UK bank account to be able to rent an apartment, but being unable to open a bank account without a permanent address in the UK) I found many of Smith’s observations utterly recognisable.
Eventually, we get to the core of the novel, the friendship between Elisabeth and Daniel. The elderly Daniel is the next door neighbour to Elisabeth, when she grows up. Despite an age difference of 70 years or so, the pair of them form a connection and talk about everything including art, literature, philosophy, fiction, lies and life in general.
“Always be reading something, he said. Even when we’re not physically reading. How else will we read the world? Think of it as a constant.”
Daniel is wise and intelligent and possesses a lot of depth. I would have liked to hear more about his complex backstory, which is only alluded to in the novel.
Parts of Autumn did not capture my imagination at all. I thought it was fine to include The British pop artist Pauline Boty as an object of interest for Elisabeth, but when the story changed to Pauline’s point of view, I lost interest completely.
Despite my reservations, I do mean to continue with the quartet. I was definitely intrigued by Smith’s playful writing style and structure, which challenge the reader but also make it more interesting and fun. And I think reading the quartet as one piece of work could make me understand the intention of the author better and allow me to get the full benefit of the ideas in each individual book.
So I’ll wait for winter to arrive and take my next dose of Ali Smith then. 3 1/2 stars.
Title: Autumn [2016] Author: Ali Smith Format: Audiobook, narrated by Melody Grove Genre: Contemporary Fiction
It’s a while since I read Autumn, but I remember feeling very much like you. Also like you, this is the first of the quartet that I’ve read, but I will get onto the others – eventually. I find novels written by those who feel a similar level of despair about Brexit very hard to take just now. Sometimes, it’s not great being proved right!
It’s interesting about Brexit, it was almost drowned out by the Covid crisis and it’s only now we are starting to figure out the impact. So perhaps an appropriate time to read Autumn? I actually look forward to read the rest of the quartet – it took me a while to get used to her writing style, so it’s possible I’ll find the next one easier.
Oh, the frustrations of red tape.
Is there an order the quarter are supposed to be read in?
Since the books refer to so many current events, I think it’s best to read them chronologically, so you start with Autumn and finish with Summer. Also, the last book Summer apparently wraps up the stories for many of the characters we meet during the other three books. I’ve decided to read one book per season 🙂
That makes sense. You’ve got a lovely year of reading ahead of you 🙂
I hope so!
Curious to know how you feel about Ali Smith purloining one of the most famous opening lines in British literature for the start of her own novel.
Why do you quote it as something special and do so without acknowledgement of its origins?
I find it worrying and disturbing that a writer such as Smith can take such a jewel and seemingly use it so brazingly to adorn her own work.
Please tell me that she at least admits its origins somewhere within the pages of Autumn.
Oh, actually I thought it was a brilliant opening line! Also, it’s quite characteristic for the writing in the remaining part of the book – filled with wordplays all the way through.
The reason it works is that the original quote is known by everyone. I see it as a tribute to the author. I doubt Dickens would mind. Lots of authors give these types of nods to each others works, I normally think it’s fun and I enjoy trying to find all the references.
Indeed it is a brilliant opening, which is why it is so widely acknowledged as such and held up as an example to all budding writers.
Far from it being “fun”, it is akin to plagiarism, especially if no credit is given to Dickens as its creator.
Consider how you as an author would feel if another writer copied a line you have carefully crafted without revealing its source? A bit miffed, I would assume.
I don’t know if it makes sense to repeat myself. But if I had written a sentence which had become so ingrained in popular culture, that contemporary authors could take the sentence, turn it completely upside down and be safe in the knowledge that readers would understand that this is a wordplay (because the wordplay is of course only fun if the reader spots what it’s a wordplay on) then I would be happy and flattered. Or perhaps I would have been caught up in my own success and wouldn’t really care.😉 But it certainly wouldn’t annoy me. In any case, I don’t think we’ll see eye to eye on this one, so let’s just agree to disagree and let’s leave it there.
Totally agree. Always enjoy your posts.
I’ve not tried any of her books, but I’d like to. I must see if the library has a copy!
Haha, my little library had a copy of the audiobook, so I guess there is a good chance your library has it as well! 😁
👍
Thanks for your thoughts on this one. I had it on my TBR list but I think it’s probably not for me for many reasons (and not really anything like the US Amazon listing blurb described it). Plenty of books on the confusing, difficult and annoying US system I could pick up if I need that kind of thing!
Haha, yeah the chapters about the bureaucracy were both fun and frustrating. But luckily, that theme was only a small part of the book, there was a lot of other stuff going on as well.
Excellent, thoughtful review, Stargazer💜
Thanks Jonetta!
Tanks for sharing your review! I have found that this author is not for me, but I’m glad that you generally enjoyed the book.
Yeah, I could easily imagine that her style is quite divisive. I have a theory that you need to get used to it? Which may make Winter a better reading experience for me. Let’s see how it goes!
I think I’m just not patient enough with the style, I like more of a straightforward read.
I know what you mean. I’ve become more open towards a bit of experimentation with style, but most often I prefer a straightforward read as well.
Interesting, (I can certainly relate to the bureaucratic frustrations), but not a book I’d want to read.
That is fair enough. It’s not for everyone and perhaps it’s less interesting for people outside the UK.
Hmm, interesting review. I’ve never considered reading any of Ali Smith’s work before as it just didn’t seem like something I’d be interested in. Your review has given me some food for thought!
It’s worth considering. I found her playful writing quite interesting. Also, since I know you like Virginia Woolf, perhaps you would get on well with her fragmented storytelling.
I’m definitely intrigued now… Not sure how well other people can pull off Virginia Woolf-style writing as well as Virgina Woolf herself but willing to give it a go!
Well, Smith doesn’t write like Woolf (nobody writes like Woolf) but there is the same type of fragmented storytelling and there is no plot whatsoever; it’s all about giving a picture of the characters and (in Smith’s case) the state of society.
Interesting. Thank you for your insights 🙂
Let me know if you decide to pick it up, would be interesting to hear your thoughts.
I’ve just put it on my hold list at the library so hopefully it comes through soon! 🙂
Brexit is one of those subjects I feel we’re far too close to still for any author to be able to write any kind of balanced picture of it. I understand the temptation but I think I’ll wait and see what it all looks like in ten years time (assuming I last that long!) before wanting to read about it. It’s like the pandemic – I think it needs some time before we can get any real perspective on its impact.
She doesn’t really write about the impact of Brexit, it’s more about the underlying currents in society which led to Brexit and about some of the key arguments in the debate, which she didn’t feel were a fair representation of reality (I think, I tend to agree with this).
I have very mixed feelings about this quartet of books. Which is unfair of course, because I haven’t read any of them. Parts of your review encourage me to give this one a try but I can’t get past the sense that this type of book is essentially perpetuating divisions. Did you feel it helps individuals to understand from another’s point of view?
Well, wasn’t one of the problems about the Brexit process, that nobody tried to see each others views? But I don’t know if the book is particularly divisive. A lot of what she writes about is more general, for instance the ripples in society caused by the divisiveness. But of course, I am on the same side of Brexit as Smith and I am not too sensitive either, so perhaps I am not the best person to ask….
You’re right of course, about divisiveness and Brexit. Perhaps I will give these books a try one day. It’s too easy for me to dismiss them without having read a single page!
I guess there is no rush. If I am in doubt, I normally stay away from books. True, they may surprise me positively, but there are so many books out there…
I keep meaning to read this series and you’ve encouraged me to start next year, I’m intrigued by your cautious review!
Did you read any of her books already? I think, I needed to get used to her style – perhaps I’ll get on better with the next one in the quartet.
I read The Accidental which I’m sure is by her and didn’t really enjoy it, but there we go!
Hmm, it looks like The Accidental got quite low ratings on Goodreads, so maybe not the best place to start with Smith. On the other hand, I could imagine her tendency to play with words and structure is present in all her books, so if you didn’t get on with that, maybe the seasonal quartet isn’t for you either.
I can’t remember why I didn’t like it, might have just been a time and place thing, but I’ll just have to give these a go!
Maybe you can get Autumn from the library, that’s how I read it. Then it won’t be a big deal if you don’t get on with it. Worth a try! 😊
Um, now I’m starting to have doubts about this quartet. I waited until all four were published, thinking they would somehow connect but your comments about the fragmented nature of the narrative and the fact Smith was maybe too focused on an agenda
I don’t know if they connect, but the last book apparently returns to some of the previous characters. I suspect the different storylines might be different pieces to a puzzle, so they may show a more full picture, when read together, even if they don’t exactly connect. In any case, I shall report back once I’ve read all of them.
Please do – I’m curious whether this way of writing was an experiment that worked
So am I!
Hm. I’m torn with regards to these books. I want to try something by Smith, but I’m not sure if these are something I’ll enjoy. I guess Brexit topic is still to weeping a wound for me 😉
Yes, I do see what you mean. Brexit is only part of the novel though, there is lots of other stuff as well. This is my first Ali Smith novel, so unfortunately I can’t give any recommendations.
Yeah I’ve seen her Quartet … but perhaps I thought the books would be too fragmented for me… though I know there’s likely interesting ideas in them. I’ll like hearing about them thru your reviews. Does the book have the feeling of Autumn in it ? Or not really?
Good question. I guess it doesn’t give an Autumn feel in the traditional sense, but she does use Autumn and especially falling leaves a lot in the allegorical sense, i.e. everything is temporary, we are always in transition from one thing to another, etc.
I realize I haven’t yet read any post-brexit book! I’m sure there are already many out there
Yes, there probably are quite a few. Sarah Moss has written a couple, which have post-Brexit undertones (Ghost Wall and Summerwater). I loved both of them, but not because of the Brexit theme.
Hmmmm…a quartet. I’d probably skip this if it probably means I’d have to read all 4 to get a sense of the entire collection. A great and thoughtful, stargazer! Thank you for sharing!
I don’t think you necessarily have to read all of them, that is just my idea. If you should ever be tempted, the first one Autumn is quite short and should give you a good idea of her writing style.
I loved what you said in the end about reading the quartet to gain the whole picture; if only it weren’t such a time investment (but I purchased them all, so I may still do it!). I recently read Autumn, too, Stargazer, and I was beyond frustrated and sadly so. I wanted to love it, but I’m more of a precise writing kind of reader, and I prefer character studies to this type of narrative. I wanted to know more about the relationship but that wasn’t the point of the story… Really loved reading your thoughts.
Yes, it isn’t my preferred kind of narrative either. On the other hand, I think (to some extent) that you can used to this kind of writing. Agree about wanting to get to know more about the characters and their relationship. But as you say, it isn’t really the focus here, rather it’s about social commentary and observations, which normally isn’t my favourite thing either. If I don’t get on better with the next one, I will probably give up on the quartet.
I’ve heard good things about this series! I’ll have to check it out sometime. Do you know which season one should begin with?
Autumn is the first and it’s probably best to start there, so you get events chronologically (the series refers to a lot of real life events)