53 pages • 1 hour read
Ali SmithHow to Be Both
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2014A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
How to Be Both by Ali Smith interweaves two narratives: the modern story of George, a young English woman grappling with her mother’s recent death, and the historical tale of Renaissance painter Francesco del Cossa, who is revealed to be a woman disguised as a man. The novel’s structure varies between copies, offering different reading experiences as the interconnected stories explore themes of grief, memory, and identity. Topics include death and loss.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Ali Smith's How to Be Both is widely praised for its innovative narrative structure and lyrical prose, captivating readers with its dual storylines that can be read in any order. Critics appreciate its exploration of art and identity but note that the unconventional format may challenge some readers. Overall, it's celebrated for its creativity and emotional depth.
Who Should Read How to Be Both?
A reader who would enjoy How to Be Both by Ali Smith appreciates experimental narratives and dual stories. Fans of Beloved by Toni Morrison or Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, who savor intricate plots and explorations of identity and time, will find this novel compelling.