Title: The Fraud
Author: Zadie Smith
Publisher: Penguin
Genre: Historical Fiction
Year of Publication: 2023
Date of Publication: September 2023
Pages: 464
ISBN-10: 0525558966
ISBN-13: 978-0525558965
Summary
Main Plot & Characters
Set in Victorian England, The Fraud follows Eliza Touchet. Eliza is a cousin by marriage to novelist William Ainsworth.
After being abandoned by her husband and left a widow, Eliza joins the Ainsworth household, first as their housekeeper and eventually as the caregiver for their children.
Against the backdrop of the famous Tichborne trial, Eliza becomes captivated by Andrew Bogle, a formerly enslaved Jamaican man.
Bogle claims to have worked for the Tichborne family and supports a man who claims to be the long-lost heir to an aristocratic fortune.
Pretending to be a writer, Eliza gets Bogle to tell her his life story.
As the trial unfolds, Eliza reflects on the concept of identity and truth, questioning her own biases and societal roles.
Through her relationship with Bogle, the novel reveals themes of race, class, and the complex facades people maintain to survive.
Key Themes
- Identity and Authenticity: Eliza’s fascination with Bogle and the Tichborne claimant challenges her views on race and truth, highlighting societal constraints.
- Race and Class: The novel examines class divides and racial tensions in Victorian society, particularly through Bogle’s experiences and the trial’s cultural significance.
- Feminism and Erasure: As a woman in Victorian England, Eliza navigates a male-dominated literary world,. She reflects on the suppression of female voices in history.
Writing Style
Smith’s writing is layered, combining historical detail with social critique. Her third-person narration offers insight into Victorian England.
The writing style gives readers a clear portrayal of both Victorian social norms and the relationships between characters.
Impact of The Fraud
The Fraud explores Victorian social issues that resonate with contemporary questions about race, class, and privilege.
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