The Upcoming
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Cinema & Tv
      • Movie reviews
      • Film festivals
      • Shows
    • Food & Drinks
      • News & Features
      • Restaurant & bar reviews
      • Interviews & Recipes
    • Literature
    • Music
      • Live music
    • Theatre
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
  • What’s On
    • Art exhibitions
    • Theatre shows
  • Tickets
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Interviews
  • Competitions
  • Special events
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

Archive

Book Slam presents Zadie Smith reading from her new novel, NW

Book Slam presents Zadie Smith reading from her new novel, NW
5 September 2012
Emma Cooper
Avatar
Emma Cooper
5 September 2012

An eager audience filled the wood-panelled hall at The Tabernacle in Notting Hill in anticipation of author Zadie Smith’s appearance. The event, which sold out quickly, was curated by the popular people at Book Slam (‘London’s best literary night club’), and promised a mix of readings, music and comedy.

Young writer Ben Masters kicked things off with a short story before the Book Slam boss Patrick Neate gave a gushing introduction to Zadie Smith, who was welcomed onstage to rapturous applause. Zadie shot to fame in 2000 with the release of her debut novel, White Teeth, and her third novel On Beauty (2005) confirmed her as one of the most original and best British writers around. She didn’t disappoint. She coolly read a section from her new novel, NW, giving us a glimpse of the sparkling dialogue and characterisation she’s renowned for. The excerpt focused on a melange of voices involved in the crescendo of an incident at a North London playground. It was witty and sharp, as well as being effectively tantalising (my copy’s now on order).

This was followed by some curious programming – Zadie’s appearance (her sheer popularity as well as her reading) had created a real buzz, and following it with the spacey sounds of Roger Robinson and the drifting, earnest music of Piers Faccini zapped the energy from the room. The breaks between the sections in the programme also felt too long, and the evening could have used more momentum.

However, Doc Brown (who happens to be Zadie’s younger brother) later picked the energy back up with his reliably funny comedy/rap routine, and the audience were then rewarded for their patience with another appearance by Zadie herself. As she admitted, it’s not easy to follow a comedian with a book reading, but she pulled it off, captivating us with another skilful character portrait.

Book Slam’s worthy aim is to get people supporting live literature, and they certainly achieve this with their sell-out events which always feature interesting guests. Each event seems to take on its own character and form, so you never quite know what to expect, and it’s all for a very reasonable ticket price. This one may have lacked a little momentum but was still well received, and Zadie is absolutely worth catching if you can see her reading live.

Verdict: ***

Emma Cooper

Zadie Smith’s novel, NW, is available now in hard back. To purchase the novel, click here for the Amazon store.

Kindle edition set for release on 6th September 2012.

For more information about Book Slam click here.

Book Slam’s next event is on 27th September and features Simon Armitage. For more information, click here.

Related Items

More in Archive

Achieve timeless elegance this S/S 2014 with S.I.L.K.

Ellie Owen
Read More

Bespoke jewellery by Charlotte Tamar

Niten Thakor
Read More

Enjoy designer luxury with Alexis Smith Lingerie’s A/W 2013 collection

Ellie Owen
Read More

Embrace vibrancy and colour with PPQ this winter

Ellie Owen
Read More

Kenzo Metallics adds the sparkle to you Christmas wardrobe

Niten Thakor
Read More

A Christmas alternative: Cranberry and Orange Jeweled Nut Bake

Bethany Stone
Read More

An Austique shopping guide: your one-stop shop for last minute gifts

Christianna Pugliese
Read More

A comforting twist to designer heels

Michelle McGill
Read More

Iain Duncan Smith condemned for refusing to meet with Trussell Trust

Abbie Cavendish
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap
  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • London’s Michelin-starred restaurants open al fresco right now – and all those re-opening in May
    Food & Drinks
  • Cruise – Online
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Portal
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Birdy at Wilton’s Music Hall Online
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Weezer with the LA Philharmonic and YOLA at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Online
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • The Motherhood Project: An interview with creator and curator Katherine Kotz
    Theatre
  • The Mitchells vs the Machines
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Shadow and Bone
    ★★★★★
    netflix
  • 50 Next unveils the new generation of food industry pioneers
    Food & Drinks
  • Arlo the Alligator Boy
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • 50 Next unveils the new generation of food industry pioneers
    Food & Drinks
  • Arlo the Alligator Boy
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • London’s Michelin-starred restaurants open al fresco right now – and all those re-opening in May
    Food & Drinks
  • Campfire in Kings Cross: Two Tribes deliver everything you’ve been missing with a night of beer, BBQ and live music
    Food & Drinks
  • Live from the Barbican: Moses Boyd
    ★★★★★
    Live music
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

UK high street suffers a slump in sales due to Olympics
Save the Children launches first child poverty campaign in UK