Description
Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR FICTION 2021
LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN''S PRIZE 2021
A once-in-a-generation series, Ali Smith''s Seasonal quartet is a tour-de-force about love, time, art, politics, and how we live now.
''A maestra''s portrait of her age . . . remarkable'' Guardian
In the present, Sacha knows the world''s in trouble. Her brother Robert just is trouble. Their mother and father are having trouble. Meanwhile the world''s in meltdown - and the real meltdown hasn''t even started yet. In the past, a lovely summer. A different brother and sister know they''re living on borrowed time.
This is a story about people on the brink of change. They''re family, but they think they''re strangers. So: where does family begin? And what do people who think they''ve got nothing in common have in common?
Summer.
Discover all four instalments: Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer. Ali Smith''s new novel, Companion piece, is available to pre-order now.
*****
''The first great coronavirus novel - a book to savour, a literary tour de force'' Evening Standard
''Exquisite. Smith is in a class of her own'' Nicola Sturgeon
''An astonishing finale to a prescient series . . . Ali Smith brilliantly weaves strands of joy and celebration to end her Seasonal Quartet'' Irish Times
Trade ReviewAn astonishing finale to a prescient series . . . Ali Smith brilliantly weaves strands of joy and celebration to end her Seasonal Quartet * Evening Standard *
The first great coronavirus novel -
a book to savour, a literary tour de force that captures the nation's psyche exquisitely * Evening Standard *
This singular writer has found her moment * Prospect *
A maestra's portrait of her age. . .
remarkable * Guardian *
Few writers today can make a more compelling claim to
singularity of innovation and sustained brilliance * TLS *
The bravura performance of a writer, poised at the edge of the day's vast darkness, gathering all the warmth and light of our inner summer * The Washington Post *
Smith bring[s] this
brilliant quartet to a satisfying close * NPR *
The
final flourish of a mazy and beautiful quartet * Telegraph *
Sublime * The Boston Globe *
Brilliant * The Scotsman *
The novel's hopeful message about the healing power of friendship ensures the quartet ends on a feel-good note * Sunday Times *
A remarkable experiment with timeliness in fiction * Literary Review *
