Zadie Smith’s novel, Swing Time, has garnered both praise and criticism from reviewers. Positives include compelling themes of race, identity, and friendship, as well as Smith’s lyrical prose. However, some find the narrative structure disjointed and the characters underdeveloped. Overall, it’s acknowledged as an ambitious but polarizing work.

Readers who enjoyed White Teeth or Beloved will find Swing Time engaging. The novel appeals to those interested in complex female friendships, cultural identity, and the vibrant tapestry of London life. Fans of rich, character-driven narratives and insightful social commentary will appreciate Zadie Smith's intricate storytelling.

Swing Time by Zadie Smith explores the complex lives of two mixed-race girls, narrated by an unnamed protagonist, and their evolving friendship from childhood to adulthood, shaped by their passion for dance, their differing family dynamics, and their encounters with racial and social issues. The novel addresses sensitive topics including sexual harassment, sexual assault, and the usage of racial slurs.

Contemplative / Bittersweet / Nostalgic / Melancholic

- Swing Time is the fifth novel by Zadie Smith, who has received the prestigious Orange Prize for Fiction and was included in Granta's list of 20 best young authors in 2003 and 2013.
- The novel explores themes of race, class, and personal identity, and was shortlisted for the 2017 National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction.
- In Swing Time, Smith expresses her love for dance, and one of her inspirations was her childhood fascination with films starring the iconic duo Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

**The Narrator**  
The unnamed first-person protagonist who navigates her multicultural identity and complex relationships while growing up in London; she works as a personal assistant to a world-famous pop star.

**Tracey**  
The narrator’s childhood best friend from dance class, of mixed-race background, whose ambitious personality and life choices significantly impact the narrator's perception of success and self-worth.

**Aimee**  
A confident and ambitious white pop superstar who employs the narrator as her personal assistant, highlighting the disparity in privilege and social status.

**The Narrator’s Mother**  
A Jamaican immigrant to London who becomes an elected official and activist, serving as a model of intellectual success and independence for the narrator.

Zadie Smith

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Before You Read

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Overview

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Swing Time Summary and Study Guide

Background

Swing Time Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Early Days”

Prologue and Part 1

Swing Time Prologue and Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Early and Late”

Part 2 Swing Time Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Intermission”

Part 3 Swing Time Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Middle Passage”

Part 4 Swing Time Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “Night and Day”

Part 5 Swing Time Part 5 Summary & Analysis

Part 6: “Day and Night”

Part 6 Swing Time Part 6 Summary & Analysis

Part 7: “Late Days”

Part 7 and Epilogue

Swing Time Part 7 and Epilogue Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Swing Time Character Analysis

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Themes

Swing Time Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Swing Time Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Swing Time Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Swing Time Essay Topics

Swing Time

Before You Read

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