Swing Time Summary
"Swing Time" is a thought-provoking and poignant novel written by Zadie Smith and narrated by Pippa Bennett-Warner. Set in London and West Africa, the novel explores the themes of identity, friendship, race, class, and cultural appropriation.
The story is centered around two girls who share a passion for dance. The unnamed narrator and her childhood friend Tracey grow up in the same housing project in North West London. They bond over their shared love for dance and spend hours practicing routines in their living rooms. However, their friendship is complicated by the differences in their personalities and family backgrounds. While the narrator is studious and reserved, Tracey is rebellious and outgoing.
As they grow older, their paths diverge. The narrator attends university and becomes a personal assistant to a famous pop star named Aimee. Tracey, on the other hand, drops out of school and struggles to make a living as a dancer. Despite their different paths, the two women remain connected through occasional phone calls and letters.
The novel takes the reader on a journey through time and geography, from London to West Africa, as the narrator navigates her own identity and grapples with her relationship with Tracey. Along the way, she confronts issues of race and cultural appropriation in both her personal and professional life. She becomes disillusioned with Aimee's superficial activism and realizes that she is complicit in perpetuating the same inequalities she is trying to fight against.
The audiobook is beautifully narrated by Pippa Bennett-Warner, who brings the characters and their emotions to life with her skillful portrayal of different accents and intonations. Her voice is both soothing and engaging, making it easy for the listener to get lost in the story.
Overall, "Swing Time" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that explores complex themes with nuance and depth. It is a must-read for anyone interested in issues of identity, race, and culture, and the audiobook is an excellent way to experience the story.
