NW Book Summary

In 'NW,' Zadie Smith intricately weaves the lives of four friends from a working-class neighborhood in Northwest London, exploring their diverse paths and struggles. As they navigate adulthood, the characters grapple with issues of identity, class, and connection in a rapidly changing city. Each chapter unveils the raw complexities of their relationships, revealing both nostalgia and tension. Smith's sharp and lyrical prose invites readers to reflect on the impact of environment and choices in shaping one's destiny. Will their ties to each other endure the challenges they face, or will the divide of circumstance tear them apart?

By Zadie Smith

Published: 2012

"The past is never past, it’s always lurking just beneath the surface, reminding us of who we are and where we came from."

Book Review of NW

Describes the lives of four northwest Londoners trying to make adult lives outside of Caldwell, the council estate of their childhood.

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The past is never past, it’s always lurking just beneath the surface, reminding us of who we are and where we came from.

NW

By Zadie Smith