Autumn

by Ali Smith
Autumn cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Literary Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 600
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • ISBN: 9780143197898
  • Publisher: Penguin
  • Published: 2017-09-27
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

Autumn is the first novel in a quartet by the Baileys Prize-winning author of How to Be Both. It's a shape-shifting series that explores the boundaries of time and history, offering a unique perspective on how the past influences the present. The novel is a meditation on what richness and worth mean in an increasingly bordered world, using the metaphor of harvest to delve into the cyclical nature of life and narrative. /n/n Fusing literary elegance with contemporary relevance, Autumn is a stripped-branches take on popular culture. It's a story that plays with the immediacy of Pop Art and the timelessness of Keats, all while weaving in a bit of modern skulduggery. The novel is part of the Seasonal quartet, which explores the recurring markers in our lives and how we experience time.

Reviews
Tony's Reading List · Tony · 2023-09-14
compelling 4.00

The story of two friends navigating a period of uncertainty is compelling and thought-provoking. It reflects on the state of the country and personal relationships.

The reviewer, Tony, finds 'Autumn' to be a compelling story that delves into the lives of two friends and the broader context of the country they live in. They appreciate how the novel captures a sense of uncertainty and change, making it a thought-provoking read. Tony highlights the depth of the characters and the way their friendship serves as a binding element in the narrative.

Quick quotes

    It's a compelling story of two friends and of the country they live in, one about to enter a period of uncertainty.

    The friendship between two of the key characters, Elisabeth and Daniel, does to some extent bind it together.

    A very powerful novel, skilfully done in such a compact form.

post45.org · 2022-05-02
compelling 3.50

The novel juxtaposes ethical lapses and fictionalized accounts to create a brief but compelling vignette. It offers a profound reflection on contemporary issues.

The reviewer finds 'Autumn' to be a brief yet compelling vignette that skillfully juxtaposes ethical lapses with fictionalized accounts. They appreciate how Smith uses this juxtaposition to create a profound reflection on contemporary issues. The reviewer admires the depth and complexity of the narrative, which offers much to ponder. The novel's ability to capture the essence of its themes in a compact form is particularly noteworthy.

Quick quotes

    In a brief but compelling vignette, Smith juxtaposes the ethical lapses of a film production crew with a fictionalized account of abducted people.

    Autumn has been hailed as 'the first serious Brexit novel' and it certainly brings together much of the mood of 2016 Britain in its amalgamation of themes.

    There is conflict in this story but it's more subtle. It's the tension that is in the air at times, while the narrator is navigating the world.

The Guardian · 2016-10-12
beautiful 4.50

The novel is a beautiful and poignant exploration of memories, dreams, and the fragility of life. It captures the transient nature of reality with a symphonic quality.

The reviewer finds 'Autumn' to be a deeply moving and beautifully written novel. They appreciate how Smith weaves together memories, dreams, and the fleeting nature of life into a poignant symphony. The book's exploration of transient realities and the 'endless sad fragility' of mortal lives leaves a lasting impression. The reviewer admires Smith's ability to capture the essence of these themes in a way that feels both intimate and universal.

Quick quotes

    Autumn is a beautiful, poignant symphony of memories, dreams and transient realities.

    The 'endless sad fragility' of mortal lives.

    A meditation on a world growing ever more bordered and exclusive.

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