The crowd buzzed with anticipation as the lights began to dim in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. A few minutes later, the highly-acclaimed author Zadie Smith entered the stage to read a chapter of her most recent book, “The Fraud,” quickly captivating the audience with her witty prose.
“The Fraud” is a novel based on the true stories of the lives of several British authors in the 1870s. The book is Smith’s first historical fiction novel.
Smith’s reading was followed by a conversation with literary critic Parul Sehgal, in which Smith and Sehgal discussed various scenes, topics and themes in the novel. As Smith dissected the novel, she also reflected on the start of her career.
Smith published her first book, “White Teeth,” in 2000, which follows two fictional World War II veterans and their children in late-20th-century England as they navigate the societal turmoil of the time. The book garnered nationwide attention, which, Smith told Sehgal, was difficult at first. “I was much more battered by it. I found it really quite hard,” she says.
Since then, the author has released 10 other works, including essay collections, a short story collection and novels. Her books focus on topics such as race, cultural identity, coming of age and religion.
Smith says the setting of “The Fraud” was heavily inspired by places in London, her hometown, which were built around the time her novel took place. “Everything I value in my life, every space my family and I inhabit, was built 200 years ago,” she says. With the immense amount of research required to write historical fiction, Smith took the opportunity to immerse herself in the past. “I was just really determined to present history as it was,” she says.
When asked about her advice to young readers, Smith declined to answer, stating, “When I was in high school, I didn’t want to hear advice from anyone.”
However, Smith did speak on the contradictions that are told to young people in regards to the state of the world and their place in history. “Is this the greatest time ever to be alive, or is it a burning dumpster fire?” Smith asked.
The event was put on by Literary Arts, and tickets were provided for free to students from six Portland-area high schools through the organization’s Students to the Schnitz program.
“It was just interesting to hear the perspective that the author has on life,” says Grant High School sophomore Lila Lewis. “I feel like there’s so many cool opportunities like this, that you just don’t know about, and I get to learn about a world that I’m not really in.”
“The Fraud” was the first of four quarterly book studies that are offered to Grant students by the Grant library. The study gives students the opportunity to read and discuss the selected books with other students participating in the study. The second novel this year is “Killers of the Flower Moon” by David Grann. Students can join by reaching out to either of Grant’s librarians.
