“The wicked lie, that the past is always tense”: The Genius of Zadie Smith

Amanda March 18, 2014

0 Comments

By Kelsey A. Liebenson-Morse
...the wicked lie, that the past is always tense and the future, perfect. - Zadie Smith, White Teeth
Zadie Smith's grand and sweeping novel White Teeth (2000) spans years, locations (Kingston, Jamaica to Trafalgar Square), and generations of three overlapping families (Jones, Iqbal, Chalfen), touching on themes of identity, love, loss, culture, betrayal, immigration, horticulture, omelets, suicide, the apocalypse, eastern vs. western ideals, morality, marriage, religion, infidelity, racism and cloning -- to mention a few.
At the center of the novel are two men: Alf...

To continue enjoying this please login or subscribe today.

Categories: Books

Tags: Book Reviews, British literature, Contemporary Literature, White Teeth, Women Writers, Zadie Smith

The Lessons of Youth: Ernest Hemingway as a Young Man

by Francis McGovern The year 1999 was the Centennial of the birth of Ernest Miller Hemingway, a writer who was a legend during his own…

Carly Cassano April 1, 1999

0 Comments

L. Frank Baum – The Man Behind The Curtain

By Linda McGovern Chances are you have seen the 1939 MGM movie, The Wizard of Oz, at one point or another in your lifetime. But…

LiteraryTraveler March 1, 1999

1 Comment

Sylvia Beach’s Shakespeare & Company, A Mecca for Contemporary Literature

by Virginie Raguenaud When the French bookshop La Maison des Amis des Livres opened its doors on November 15, 1915, at 7 rue de l’Odeon…

LiteraryTraveler April 17, 2007

0 Comments

Mt. Katahdin, Maine’s tallest peak, under overcast skies. Photo by: Heidi Lachapelle, circa August 23, 2021

Katahdin: “The Great Mountain” and Six Witty Wanderers

By Kim Adler “Man is born to die, his works are short-lived. Buildings crumble, monuments decay, wealth vanishes. But Katahdin in all its glory, forever…

Jaclyn November 14, 2022

0 Comments

Queen Mary 2 Interview with Author Bill Bryson

Interview by Francis McGovern; Introduction by Carly Cassano It was a pleasure for Literary Traveler founder, Francis McGovern, and editor-at-large, Jennifer Ciotta, to travel across…

Carly Cassano October 22, 2011

1 Comment

Our Story….

At Literary Traveler we help readers explore their literary imagination. Since 1998, Literary Traveler has provided informative and inspiring travel writing featuring writers and the places that they have traveled. We also have featured a wide variety of literary tours, and literary events to help readers find exciting and interesting places to visit. We have offered unique tours with organizations like Classical Pursuits the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In the past we have promoted and participated in literary tours and cruises on The Delta Queen and The Queen Mary 2. Please check out our travel videos and travel blogs.

If you are interesting in writing for Literary Traveler please see our travel writing guidelines. If you are interested in advertising or listing your tours, please contact us at 1-855-LIT-TRVL, 1-855-548- 8785 or use our contact form to request our updated Media Kit. We also consult with various destination marketing organizations, tour companies and hotels and resorts.

We use and recommend Boston Corporate Photographer Brian Smith for our still photos and video needs. We also highly recommend Travel Writer Steve Jermanock's Active Travels as a top Boston Travel Agency for planning your next adventures.

“The wicked lie, that the past is always tense”: The Genius of Zadie Smith

Hitchhiking Honduras: Relating to Cheryl Strayed in Wild

Literary Traveler is Celebrating 25 Years

Bookish Beaufort

Bright Blossom of the Pacific

Literary Traveler’s 2022 Holiday Gift Guide

Related Articles