CHANGING MY MIND Occasional Essays

In this eclectic collection of essays, Zadie Smith (WHITE TEETH, ON BEAUTY) explores a variety of literary masterworks, including Zora Neale Hurston's THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD, George Eliot's MIDDLEMARCH, and E.M. Forster's HOWARDS END. She offers a terrific essay on Barthes and Nabokov; but lest listeners think this is an audiobook solely for literature lovers, Smith also praises Barack Obama's artful use of language, profiles several Hollywood luminaries, and cogently tackles racism and feminism. Barbara Rosenblat’s intelligent narration highlights Smith’s focus on fluidity and change. She brings clarity to each section in the collection: "Reading," "Being," "Seeing," and "Feeling.” Barbara Rosenblat could read a menu and keep her audience entranced, and with exceptional material like Smith's, she provides a high-quality listening experience. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2009]