The Fraud is a historical novel based on the Tichborne case written by Zadie Smith and published by Penguin in 2023.[1][2][3][4]
2023 Penguin book jacket | |
| Author | Zadie Smith |
|---|---|
| Subject | Fiction - Trials, litigation, William Harrison Ainsworth, Imposters, Housekeepers, London. |
| Genre | Novel, historical fiction |
| Set in | 19th-century London |
| Published | September 2023 |
| Publisher | Penguin |
| Publication place | United Kingdom, United States |
| Media type | Print, E-book, Audio |
| ISBN | 9780525558965 |
| Website | Official website |
Synopsis
editMrs Touchet is the Scottish housekeeper and a cousin by marriage of William Harrison Ainsworth. In 1873 she has been living with him for thirty years in London, Brighton and Surrey. He used to be a famed novelist. In 1834 his gothic novel Rookwood was a popular serial. Later he got negative reviews, and he had a conflict with Charles Dickens and illustrator George Cruikshank.
All of England is captivated with a trial. Roger Tichborne, rightful heir to a baronetcy and a family fortune, was presumed to have died in a shipwreck in 1854, but now a man claims to be him. Andrew Bogle, who grew up as a slave on a Jamaican sugar plantation, is a star witness.
Reception
editThe Fraud received generally positive reviews. According to Book Marks, the book received a "positive" consensus, based on thirty-seven critic reviews: twenty "rave", six "positive", ten "mixed", and one "pan".[5] On November/December 2023 issue of Bookmarks, the book received a
(3.5 out of 5) based on critic reviews, with a critical summary saying: "For interested readers, it's a brilliant undertaking".[6][7] On BookBrowse, the book received a
from "Critics' Consensus" and for the media reviews on a rating scale out of five: Booklist, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly reviews under five and The New York Review of Books and Kirkus Reviews reviews under four.[8]
According to The New York Times, Smith's "new novel, 'The Fraud,' is based on a celebrated 19th-century criminal trial, but it keeps one eye focused clearly on today's political populism."[1] According to the Los Angeles Times, "Not only is [the novel] set in 19th century England with a sprawling cast of characters high and low, but Charles Dickens himself makes an appearance, charming everyone except those who envy his success. But there's more to this brilliant new entry in Smith's catalog than a simple literary romp."[4]
Accolades
editThe Fraud by Zadie Smith has garnered accolades. It was selected as a New York Times book of the year 2023, [9] a New Yorker magazine 2023 book of the year[10] and a Washington Post hardcover bestseller in December 2023.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b Set in the 1830s and 1870s the novel follows Eliza Touchet, a cousin by marriage and former lover of William Harrison Ainsworth who becomes fascinated with Roger Tichborne and attends the trial of the claimant. Mahajan, Karan (August 28, 2023). "Zadie Smith Makes 1860s London Feel Alive, and Recognizable". The New York Times. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ Chakraborty, Abhrajyoti (August 27, 2023). "The Fraud by Zadie Smith review – a trial and no errors". The Guardian. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ Charles, Ron (August 30, 2023). "In Zadie Smith's 'The Fraud,' truth is an illusion". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ a b Kellog, Carolyn (August 30, 2023). "What Zadie Smith's new Dickensian delight tells us about the Trump base". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ "The Fraud". Book Marks. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ "The Fraud". Bookmarks. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
- ^ "The Fraud". Bibliosurf (in French). 2023-10-04. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
- ^ "The Fraud". BookBrowse. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
- ^ "The 10 Best Books of 2023". The New York Times. 28 November 2023.
- ^ "The Best Books of 2023". The New Yorker. 25 January 2023.
- ^ Washington Post. December 6, 2023. See the eight entry.