On Beauty by Zadie Smith is a witty and insightful exploration of cultural and ethnic differences in both the United States and the UK, through the lens of a mixed-race British/American family.
Loosely based on E.M. Forster’s Howards End, the novel dives into complex themes of beauty, identity, and the clash between liberal and conservative academic values. It highlights the dynamics within a family caught between these contrasting worlds. With its engaging characters and intricate narrative, On Beauty tackles big questions about what beauty means in modern society and its connection to justice.
Shortlisted for the prestigious 2005 Man Booker Prize and winner of both the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for fiction and the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2006, Zadie Smith’s novel is an exceptional read for anyone interested in contemporary fiction that explores the intersections of culture, race, and identity.
Zadie Smith (born 25 October 1975) is an acclaimed English novelist, essayist, and short-story writer. Known for her bestselling debut novel White Teeth, which earned her widespread recognition and multiple awards, she is a professor in the Creative Writing department at New York University. Smith’s writing is celebrated for its sharp social observations, wit, and exploration of cultural identity.
