ELLE: Hi Zadie, long time. How have you been?
Zadie Smith: Okay. In the middle of my life, so sometimes totally insane and other times strangely at peace.
ELLE: Congratulations on Grand Union. Were you contemplating writing a book of short stories, or did this just happen by chance as you kept writing?
ZS: My editor suggested it, and sent me a file of all the short stories I’d ever written. I read through that file and hated almost everything. So that started me on the path of, “Shall I ditch the idea or can I add to the stories I like, until I end up with a book I’m proud of?” I went for the second option. It was fortuitous timing, too. I hadn’t written anything since June because of the school holidays, and now it was September and I had some time and my fingers were itching. I have to say I loved writing the new stories. I think I had a better time writing this book than any other. It reminded me of when I started writing as a teenager: the same joy, felicity, playfulness, and sense of mischief.
ELLE: Grand Union is a discerning chronicler of our times. It explores race, Brexit, modern lust, complicated women— how long did it take you to put the collection together? Is it harder writing a short story as opposed to a novel or novella? Which one took you the most time to complete?
Denne historien er fra October 2019-utgaven av Elle India.
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Denne historien er fra October 2019-utgaven av Elle India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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FULL THROTTLE
F2 rising star Kush Maini on his racing journey & challenges in motorsport. Ekta Sinha hitches a ride
VIJAY VARMA MAN OF THE MOMENT
Amidst the barrage of releases, Vijay Varma's dignified reticence is enveloped in thoughtful consideration, reports Ipsita Kaul
ROHIT SARAF THE GEN Z STAR
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Roaring RAJASTHAN
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Krishika Bhatia explores a revolutionary skincare breakthrough that merges nature and science, featuring insights from industry experts
Nigella's WORLD
The British celebrity chef shares the secret recipe to her effortless charm in the kitchen with Isha Mayer
ADRIATIC DRIFT
Stari Grad is Croatia's hidden gem waiting to be explored, finds Isha Mayer
Unapologetically MOSTLY SANE
The multi-hyphenate artist fills Maahi Shah in on the fun things she's working on, what meeting Michelle Obama was like, & how she stays grounded
SANYA MALHOTRA POWERHOUSE OF VERSATILITY
The actor lets Maahi Shah in on her female-forward acting choices, growing through the tribulations of the imposter syndrome and the big little things that make her proud to be a woman
H&M GOES BRAT
Popstar Charli XCX's celebration of the fashion brand's Autumn/ Winter 2024 campaign offered a window to its refreshed trajectory, reports Haiqa Siddiqui
