Changing my Mind

by Zadie Smith
Changing my Mind cover
Good Books rating 4.31
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  • ID: 4461
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
app.thestorygraph.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
brilliant 4.50

The reviewer admires Zadie Smith's literary talent and finds her collection of essays, 'Changing My Mind,' to be exceptional. They highlight her versatility and the personal insights she shares, making the book a standout among similar collections.

The reviewer begins by acknowledging Zadie Smith's prodigious talent, evident from her debut novel 'White Teeth.' They express a sense of ownership over her work, feeling a personal connection to her as a writer of their generation. The review then focuses on 'Changing My Mind,' a collection of essays and personal memoirs that Smith has written over the years. The reviewer has a particular fondness for nonfiction books of this nature, where novelists apply their creative skills to long-form journalism and essays. They find 'Changing My Mind' to be the best collection of occasional essays they have encountered, praising Smith's versatility and the personal insights she shares. The book opens with a delightful essay on Zora Neale Hurston's novel 'Their Eyes Were Watching God,' which sets the stage for the theme of changing one's mind. The reviewer highlights Smith's ability to capture rich moments of hilarity and her own humorous insights about her writing experiences. They also appreciate the versatility of the subjects Smith covers, from biographical sketches to analytical pieces on literature and personal accounts of her father's passing. The final section of the book includes a critique of David Foster Wallace's work, which the reviewer finds particularly insightful.

Quick quotes

    The book opens with her delightful essay on Zora Neale Hurston’s novel _Their Eyes Were Watching God_.

    In the middle of a novel, a kind of magical thinking takes over.

    He can’t be read and understood and enjoyed at that speed any more than I can get the hang of the Goldberg Variations over a weekend.

theguardian.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
brilliant 4.50

Changing My Mind is a collection of essays that showcases Zadie Smith's sharp wit and insightful commentary on literature and culture. The essays are engaging and thought-provoking, offering a unique perspective on various topics.

Zadie Smith's Changing My Mind is a delightful collection of essays that span a wide range of topics, from literature to pop culture. Each essay is written with Smith's characteristic wit and intelligence, making it a pleasure to read. The essays are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, offering a fresh perspective on familiar subjects. Whether you're a fan of Smith's novels or just enjoy well-written non-fiction, this book is sure to impress. The essays are well-researched and beautifully written, making it a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary culture and literature.

Quick quotes

    The essays are a pleasure to read

    Smith's wit and intelligence shine through

    The book is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary culture and literature

freerangereading.blogspot.com · Unknown · 2010-03-05
engaging 3.75

The book is a collection of essays that showcase Zadie Smith's intelligence, wit, and passion for literature. Some readers found it challenging and slow-paced, while others were entranced by her insights and personal reflections.

Changing My Mind is a collection of essays by Zadie Smith that spans a variety of topics, including literary criticism, film reviews, and personal reflections. Smith's writing is marked by her intelligence, wit, and deep passion for literature. Some readers found the essays challenging and slow-paced, particularly if they were not familiar with the works or films being discussed. However, many were captivated by Smith's insights and her ability to blend personal experiences with critical analysis. Her essays on literary figures like Eliot, Forster, and Kafka are particularly noteworthy, as are her more personal pieces about her family and her experiences in the showbiz world. Overall, the book offers a rich and engaging exploration of literature and the writing process, making it a rewarding read for those who enjoy thoughtful and reflective non-fiction.

Quick quotes

    She dons many hats: of a literary criticism professor, a film reviewer, a diarist, a travelogue writer and a lecturing writer, and manages to suffuse all the ensuing discourse with wit, erudition and generosity that frankly had me by the collar.

    Smith is amazingly smart. But she's also funny and honest and sometimes downright vulnerable in this collection of 17 essays.

    I like the way she writes and thinks.

slate.com · Unknown · 2009-12-28
insightful 4.50

Zadie Smith's 'Changing My Mind' is a collection of essays that explores the systems of thought behind literary judgments and interpretations. The book is praised for its focus on how fiction should be read and the different approaches to assessing literary craft. Smith's essays delve into the tension between competing reading methods and the broader conflict of moving among belief systems, highlighting her preference for adaptable thinkers over dogmatists.

Zadie Smith's 'Changing My Mind' is a collection of essays that offers a deep dive into the thought processes behind literary criticism and interpretation. The book, culled from various newspapers and magazines, might initially appear as a disparate collection, but it coalesces around a central theme: the systems of thought that inform our judgments about literature. Smith's essays are not just gentle arguments or reinterpretations; they are an unsettled look at the frameworks that make these judgments possible. She questions how fiction should be read and evaluated, especially when encountering it in social contexts where different reading methods are required. The collection is praised for its focus on the tension between competing reading methods and the broader conflict of navigating among belief systems. Smith's heroes are those who can adapt their thinking as needed, while she critiques those mired in ideological rigidity. This theme is reflected in her fiction, where characters stuck in narrow ways of thinking often meet tragicomic fates. The book is a testament to Smith's ability to explore complex ideas with clarity and insight, making it a valuable read for both writers and avid readers.

Quick quotes

    They needn’t be.

    The book isn’t just a group of gently argued judgments and critical reinterpretations; it’s an unsettled look at the systems of thought that make those judgments and interpretations possible.

    Smith's heroes are those who can inhabit a particular way of thinking for a purpose and then, if necessary, put it aside for something new.

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