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Plot Summary

How to Be Both

Ali Smith
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Plot Summary

How to Be Both

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2014

Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

How to Be Both by Ali Smith interweaves two narratives: the modern story of George, a young English woman grappling with her mother’s recent death, and the historical tale of Renaissance painter Francesco del Cossa, who is revealed to be a woman disguised as a man. The novel’s structure varies between copies, offering different reading experiences as the interconnected stories explore themes of grief, memory, and identity. Topics include death and loss.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Ali Smith's How to Be Both is widely praised for its innovative narrative structure and lyrical prose, captivating readers with its dual storylines that can be read in any order. Critics appreciate its exploration of art and identity but note that the unconventional format may challenge some readers. Overall, it's celebrated for its creativity and emotional depth.

Who should read this

Who Should Read How to Be Both?

A reader who would enjoy How to Be Both by Ali Smith appreciates experimental narratives and dual stories. Fans of Beloved by Toni Morrison or Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, who savor intricate plots and explorations of identity and time, will find this novel compelling.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

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