There are some books that you can appreciate for the technical aspects – the turn of a phrase, a certain deftness in dialogues, and intent, the themes the author is grappling with me – and yet, overall, the book just doesn’t work. For me, The Autograph Man was one such book.
I liked the concepts, the elements, the writing style, but ugh! I just couldn’t relate to the characters, the friendships, and the traumas at the core of the novel.
About The Autograph Man
Alex-Li Tandem sells autographs. His business is to hunt for names on paper, collect them, sell them, and occasionally fake them—all to give the people what they want: a little piece of Fame. But what does Alex want? Only the return of his father, the end of religion, something for his headache, three different girls, infinite grace, and the rare autograph of forties movie actress Kitty Alexander. With fries.
~ Synopsis from goodreads
My Review
This is an existentialist book, and I generally dislike them, right from the very first one I ever read – The Catcher in the Rye. So, going into this book, I knew I was predisposed to disliking it, but I hoped that Zadie Smith was skillful enough to change my mind. Sadly no!
Issue no. 1. Alex is someone who is so rootless and aimless. It’s hard to like him. He’s surrounded by loving friends and a seemingly adorable and gorgeous girlfriend. All of them would do anything for him. I couldn’t understand why. He does nothing back; he’s so self-absorbed in his work, his depression, he cheats on his girlfriend, and lies to his friends. Women seem to be attracted to him like flies to nectar, but I just couldn’t get why. He’s horrible, and I read the book waiting for him to get his comeuppance, or at least to realize and appreciate all the wonderful people around him. Some sort of redemption, basically, but alas! the only thing he does ok is he manages to get through his father’s memorial ceremony without falling down drunk.
Issue no. 2. I really couldn’t get interested in his hobby/profession of buying and selling autographs and celebrity memorabilia. Zadie Smith writes the sections describing his profession with a deft touch, and they are amusing, no doubt. However, because I disliked Alex so thoroughly, it spoiled what could have been a nice nerdy rabbit hole of fun facts and information.
Issue no. 3. The ending is not satisfying, and that is an understatement.
There were some aspects of the book that were great. The most moving part of the book was the description of Alex’s father’s death, which appears to have instigated Alex’s career as an autograph man. I liked the Jewish mysticism/Kabbalah angle. I loved the conflict between the religious and the atheist. There is a certain lightness and playfulness in the themes that were handled really well. There is a certain deftness in the book, and although I didn’t like it overall, it’s one where Smith’s talent is plainly visible. The weaknesses in the plot only highlight the skilfulness of the execution.
Overall, not one of her stronger books. I’m still glad I read it, as some aspects sang to my soul, and sometimes it’s nicer to read a book that tries to be ambitious and fails. This is one unusual book!
