Zadie Smith's On Beauty: A Novel You Can Read as an EPUB File
Zadie Smith on Beauty: A Novel That Explores Art, Race, and Family
If you are looking for a captivating and insightful novel that will challenge your perspectives on art, race, and family, you should check out Zadie Smith's On Beauty. This book is a modern adaptation of E.M. Forster's classic Howards End, but with a twist. It follows the lives and conflicts of two academic families in Massachusetts and London, who have different views on politics, culture, and aesthetics. In this article, we will give you a brief overview of the plot and themes of On Beauty, as well as show you how to download it as an EPUB file and read it on your device.
zadie smith on beauty epub download software
The Plot of Zadie Smith on Beauty
On Beauty is set in the early 2000s and revolves around the Belsey family and the Kipps family. The Belseys are a liberal, biracial, and bohemian family who live in Wellington, a fictional college town near Boston. The father, Howard, is a white British art history professor who specializes in Rembrandt. The mother, Kiki, is a black American hospital administrator who struggles with her weight and her marriage. They have three children: Jerome, a religious and sensitive son who falls in love with the daughter of his father's rival; Zora, a ambitious and outspoken daughter who wants to be a poet; and Levi, a rebellious and streetwise son who gets involved with a radical group of Haitians.
The Kipps are a conservative, black, and wealthy family who live in London. The father, Monty, is a prominent and controversial scholar who criticizes Howard's work and challenges his views on art and politics. The mother, Carlene, is a kind and elegant woman who suffers from a terminal illness. They have two children: Victoria, a beautiful and seductive daughter who breaks Jerome's heart and seduces Howard; and Michael, a smart and reserved son who becomes Zora's friend and rival.
The novel explores the complex relationships and clashes between these two families, as well as their interactions with other characters, such as Claire Malcolm, a famous feminist poet who has an affair with Howard; Erskine Jegede, a Nigerian art dealer who helps Kiki rediscover her roots; Choo Li, a Chinese student who exposes Howard's plagiarism; and Kiki's old friend Carl, who reveals a shocking secret about Howard.
The Themes of Zadie Smith on Beauty
On Beauty is not only a compelling story, but also a profound reflection on various themes and issues that are relevant to our contemporary society. Some of the major themes and messages that the novel conveys are:
Beauty: The novel examines the concept of beauty from different angles and perspectives. It questions what makes something or someone beautiful, how beauty is influenced by culture, history, and ideology, and how beauty affects our emotions, judgments, and actions. It also contrasts the beauty of art and nature with the ugliness of human behavior and society.
Identity: The novel explores the identity struggles of the characters, who are faced with questions of race, class, gender, nationality, religion, and sexuality. It shows how identity is shaped by family, education, environment, and experience, but also how identity can be fluid, ambiguous, and contradictory. It also challenges the stereotypes and prejudices that are associated with certain identities.
Culture: The novel depicts the cultural differences and conflicts between the American and British characters, as well as between the black and white characters. It illustrates how culture affects our values, beliefs, tastes, and habits, but also how culture can be diverse, dynamic, and hybrid. It also exposes the cultural ignorance and arrogance that can lead to misunderstanding and hostility.
Politics: The novel portrays the political tensions and debates that are present in the academic world and the wider society. It criticizes the hypocrisy, corruption, and elitism that are prevalent in both the liberal and conservative camps. It also highlights the political implications of art, education, media, and activism.
Love: The novel depicts the various forms and expressions of love that exist among the characters. It celebrates the love that is genuine, loyal, compassionate, and respectful. It also exposes the love that is fake, selfish, destructive, and abusive. It also shows how love can be influenced by beauty, identity, culture, and politics.
The Influence of E.M. Forster on Zadie Smith on Beauty
On Beauty is not only inspired by E.M. Forster's Howards End, but also pays homage to it. Smith borrows many elements from Forster's novel, such as the plot structure, the character names, the setting, the themes, and even some phrases and scenes. However, Smith also updates and transforms these elements to suit her own vision and style. She adds more diversity and complexity to the characters, more humor and irony to the tone, more realism and relevance to the issues, and more creativity and originality to the language. She also makes some changes and twists that surprise and challenge the readers, especially those who are familiar with Forster's novel.
The Reception and Criticism of Zadie Smith on Beauty
On Beauty was published in 2005 and received widespread acclaim from critics and readers alike. It won several awards, such as the Orange Prize for Fiction, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, and the Commonwealth Writers' Prize. It was also shortlisted for other prestigious prizes, such as the Man Booker Prize, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and the Women's Prize for Fiction. It was praised for its brilliant storytelling, its rich characterization, ```html its witty dialogue, its insightful analysis, and its beautiful prose. It was also hailed as a masterpiece of contemporary literature and a classic of the 21st century.
However, On Beauty
also faced some criticism from some quarters. Some critics accused Smith of being too derivative and unoriginal in her adaptation of Forster's novel. They argued that she failed to add anything new or significant to the original story and that she merely copied and pasted its elements into a different context. They also claimed that she lacked the depth and subtlety of Forster's writing and that she relied too much on clichés and stereotypes.
Some critics also questioned Smith's portrayal of race and culture in the novel. They argued that she oversimplified and exaggerated the differences and conflicts between the black and white characters, the American and British characters, and the liberal and conservative characters. They also claimed that she misrepresented and stereotyped some groups, such as Haitians, Muslims, and feminists.
How to Download Zadie Smith on Beauty as an EPUB File
If you are interested in reading On Beauty, you might want to download it as an EPUB file. EPUB stands for Electronic Publication, and it is a popular format for ebooks. EPUB files are designed to be compatible with various devices and platforms, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, and e-readers. They are also designed to be accessible and customizable for different readers, such as those with visual impairments or reading preferences. In this section, we will explain what EPUB is and why it is a good choice for ebooks, as well as show you some of the best sources for EPUB downloads.
The Benefits of EPUB for Readers
EPUB files have many advantages over other formats for ebooks, such as PDF, MOBI, or TXT. Some of the benefits of EPUB are:
Compatibility: EPUB files can be opened and read by various devices and platforms, such as Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and more. You don't need to worry about converting or transferring files between different formats or devices.
Accessibility: EPUB files can be adapted to suit the needs and preferences of different readers, such as those with visual impairments or reading difficulties. You can adjust the font size, color, contrast, spacing, and layout of the text, as well as use text-to-speech or screen reader features. You can also access metadata and navigation tools that help you find and organize information in the ebook.
Customization: EPUB files can be personalized to enhance your reading experience and enjoyment. You can add bookmarks, notes, highlights, annotations, and comments to the ebook. You can also search for words or phrases within the ebook or link to external sources for more information.
The Best Sources for EPUB Downloads
There are many websites and apps that offer free or cheap EPUB downloads of On Beauty and other books. Some of the best sources for EPUB downloads are:
Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg is a website that provides free public domain ebooks in various formats, including EPUB. Public domain ebooks are books that are no longer under copyright protection and can be legally downloaded and distributed by anyone. Project Gutenberg has over 60,000 ebooks in its collection, ranging from classics to rare books. You can browse by category, author, title, language, or popularity. You can also search by keyword or use advanced filters. To download On Beauty as an EPUB file from Project Gutenberg, follow these steps:
Go to https://www.gutenberg.org/.
Type "Zadie Smith" in the search box and click "Go".
Select On Beauty from the list of results.
Select "EPUB" from the list of formats under "Download This eBook".
Select "No images" or "With images" depending on your preference.
The EPUB file will be downloaded to your device.
Libby
Libby is an app that allows you to borrow ebooks and audiobooks from your local library. You can access thousands of titles from your library's digital collection, including On Beauty. You can also discover new books, place holds, renew loans, and return books. Libby is compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, and web browsers. You can also send books to your Kindle device or app. To download On Beauty as an EPUB file from Libby, follow these steps:
Download and install Libby from your device's app store or go to https://libbyapp.com/.
Open the app and sign in with your library card or create a new account.
Search for "Zadie Smith" or "On Beauty" in the app's search bar or browse by category.
Select On Beauty from the list of results and tap "Borrow".
Select "Read With..." and choose "Libby" or "Kindle" depending on your preference.
The EPUB file will be downloaded to your device or sent to your Kindle.
Amazon Kindle Store
Amazon Kindle Store is an online store that sells ebooks for Kindle devices and apps. You can find millions of titles in various genres and languages, including On Beauty. You can also access free samples, reviews, ratings, and recommendations. Amazon Kindle Store offers competitive prices and discounts, as well as free ebooks for Prime members and Kindle Unlimited subscribers. To download On Beauty as an EPUB file from Amazon Kindle Store, follow these steps:
Type "Zadie Smith" or "On Beauty" in the search box and click "Go".
Select On Beauty from the list of results and click "Buy Now" or "Read for Free" depending on your option.
Select "Deliver to" and choose your device or app.
The EPUB file will be downloaded to your device or app.
Google Play Books
Google Play Books is an app that offers ebooks for Android devices and web browsers. You can access millions of titles in various genres and languages, including On Beauty. You can also access free samples, reviews, ratings, and recommendations. Google Play Books offers competitive prices and discounts, as well as free ebooks for Google One members and Play Pass subscribers. To download On Beauty as an EPUB file from Google Play Books, follow these steps:
Download and install Google Play Books from your device's app store or go to https://play.google.com/store/books.
Open the app and sign in with your Google account or create a new account.
Search for "Zadie Smith" or "On Beauty" in the app's search bar or browse by category.
Select On Beauty from the list of results and tap "Buy" or "Read for Free" depending on your option.
Select "Read Now" or "Download" depending on your preference.
The EPUB file will be downloaded to your device or opened in the app.
How to Read Zadie Smith on Beauty as an EPUB File
If you have downloaded On Beauty as an EPUB file, you might wonder how to open and read it on your device. There are different ways to read EPUB files on different devices and platforms, such as Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, etc. In this section, we will show you some of the best methods to read EPUB files on various devices and platforms.
How to Read EPUB Files on Windows
If you want to read EPUB files on a Windows PC or laptop, you have two options: use an EPUB reader software or use a web browser extension. Here are some of the best EPUB reader software and web browser extensions for Windows:
EPUB Reader Software for Windows
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Calibre: Calibre is a free and open-source ebook management software that can read, edit, convert, and organize EPUB files and other ebook formats. It has a simple and user-friendly interface that allows you to customize your reading experience. You can also access various features, such as metadata editing, library syncing, ebook sharing, news downloading, and more. To read On Beauty as an EPUB file with Calibre, follow these steps:
Download and install Calibre from https://calibre-ebook.com/download.
Open Calibre and click "Add books" to import your EPUB file.
Select On Beauty from your library and double-click it to open it in the ebook viewer.
Use the toolbar or the keyboard shortcuts to adjust the font size, color, layout, and other settings.
Sumatra PDF: Sumatra PDF is a free and lightweight PDF reader that can also read EPUB files and other ebook formats. It has a minimal and fast interface that focuses on the content of the ebook. You can also access some basic features, such as zooming, rotating, printing, and bookmarking. To read On Beauty as an EPUB file with Sumatra PDF, follow these steps:
Download and install Sumatra PDF from https://www.sumatrapdfreader.org/download-free-pdf-viewer.html.
Open Sumatra PDF and click "File" and then "Open" to browse for your EPUB file.
Select On Beauty from your folder and click "Open" to open it in the ebook viewer.
Use the toolbar or the keyboard shortcuts to adjust the zoom level, page layout, and other settings.
Freda: Freda is a free and popular ebook reader that can read EPUB files and other ebook formats. It has a modern and customizable interface that allows you to personalize your reading experience. You can also access various features, such as text-to-speech, dictionary lookup, annotation, bookmarking, and more. To read On Beauty as an EPUB file with Freda, follow these steps:
Download and install Freda from the Microsoft Store or go to http://www.turnipsoft.co.uk/freda/.
Open Freda and click "Add books" to import your EPUB file.
Select On Beauty from your library and tap it to open it in the ebook viewer.
Use the toolbar or the menu to adjust the font size, color, theme, and other settings.
Web Browser Extension for Windows
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EPUBReader: EPUBReader is a free and easy-to-use web browser extension that can read EPUB files and other ebook formats. It works with most web browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera. It has a clean and simple interface that allows you to enjoy your ebook without distractions. You can also access some basic features, such as bookmarking, searching, and printing. To read On Beauty as an EPUB file with EPUBReader, follow these steps:
Download and install EPUBReader from your web browser's extension store or go to https://www.epubread.com/en/.
Open your web browser and click on the EPUBReader icon in the toolbar.
Click "Choose file" to browse for your EPUB file.
Select On Beauty from your folder and click "Open" to open it in the ebook viewer.
Use the toolbar or the keyboard shortcuts to adjust the font size, color, layout, and other settings.
Readium: Readium is a free and open-source web browser extension that can read EPUB files and other ebook formats. It works with most web browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera. It has a sleek and responsive interface that adapts to your device and screen size. You can also access various features, such as metadata editing, library management, bookmarking, annotation, and more. To read On Beauty as an EPUB file with Readium, follow these steps:
Download and install Readium from your web browser's extension store or go to https://readium.org/.
Open your web browser and click on the Readium icon in the toolbar.
Click "Add to library" to import your EPUB file.
Select On Beauty from your library and click "Read" to open it in the ebook viewer.
Use the toolbar or the menu to adjust the font size, color, theme, and other settings.
How to Read EPUB Files on Mac
If you want to read EPUB files on a Mac computer, you have two options: use an EPUB reader software or use a web browser extension. Here are some of the best EPUB reader software and web browser extensions for Mac:
EPUB Reader Software for Mac
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Calibre: Calibre is a free and open-source ebook management software that can read, edit, convert, and organize EPUB files and other ebook formats. It has a simple and user-friendly interface that allows you to customize your reading experience. You can also access various features, such as metadata editing, library syncing, ebook sharing, news downloading, and more. To read On Beauty as an EPUB file with Calibre, follow the same steps as for Windows.
Kitabu: Kitabu is a free and simple ebook reader that can read EPUB files and other ebook formats. It has a minimal and elegant interface that focuses on the content of the ebook. You can also access some basic features, such as zooming, scrolling, printing, and bookmarking. To read On Beauty as an EPUB file with Kitabu, follow these steps:
Download and install Kitabu from the Ma