The first time I picked up a novel by Zadie Smith was back in high school. While I did find joy in reading her work, I was initially intimidated by the complexity of it all.
Smith’s artistry demanded something more from its reader — presence, unwavering attention and a whole lot of care. Over the past three years, I have slowly grown to love her exquisitely crafted narratives.
When I found out about Zadie Smith’s nearly sold-out event on campus, I went on a frantic hunt for tickets. And when I finally got them, I was insufferable for the rest of the week. I couldn’t stop talking about how excited I was to attend it, and didn’t for long after it was over either.
In collaboration with UBC School of Creative Writing, the Vancouver Writers Festival hosted a discussion between Zadie Smith and Canadian writer Madeleine Thien at the Chan Centre in late September. The evening began with a reading of a passage from Smith’s new book, The Fraud — a beautifully researched work of historical fiction based on the Tichborne Trial that captivated Victorian England in the 1860s.
In her reading, Smith took on the voice of Mrs. Eliza Touchet, the housekeeper and cousin of a long forgotten yet exceptional novelist, William Ainsworth. Based on real historical events, The Fraud is a compelling exploration of truth, identity, race, gender and class.
Following Smith’s reading of an excerpt from The Fraud, the conversation with Thien explored her writing style, research process and personal experiences, as well as brief discussions on the traces of colonialism and the inevitable influence of Charles Dickens on English literature.
Smith explained that the story was originally meant to be told from the perspective of William Ainsworth, the prolific nineteenth-century novelist whom she spent 10 years researching. However, when she got down to actually writing the novel, it was Touchet’s character that she was most drawn to.
It was following this realization that the novel began to take shape through the life of Mrs. Touchet. These glimpses into Smith’s writing process were a reflection of her creative genius, and the ease with which she embraces the story that compels her the most.
Punctuated with occasional bursts of laughter and eager nods of agreement, the evening was a perfect combination of enjoyment and education. Smith delved into forgotten histories, dissected the complexities of British society and had a theatre full of people completely spellbound by her words, wisdom and wit.
Vancouver Writers Festival is running from October 16–22 at various locations across Vancouver. Information about panel discussions, poetry readings, masterclasses and more can be found on the VWF website.
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