How to Enjoy Zadie Smith's On Beauty in EPUB and MOBI Formats
Zadie Smith on Beauty: A Novel That Explores Family, Culture, and Art
If you are looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, think, and feel, then you should read On Beauty by Zadie Smith. This novel, published in 2005, is a brilliant analysis of family life, the institution of marriage, intersections of the personal and political, and an honest look at people's deceptions. It is also, as you might expect, very funny indeed.
zadie smith on beauty epub to mobi
What is On Beauty About?
On Beauty is loosely based on Howards End by E.M. Forster, but it is set in the contemporary world of academia and politics. It follows the lives of two families: the Belseys and the Kippses. The Belseys are a liberal, interracial, and intellectual family living in Massachusetts. The Kippses are a conservative, wealthy, and religious family from London. The two families clash over their values, beliefs, and ambitions, but they also find themselves intertwined by love, friendship, and betrayal.
The Plot of On Beauty
The novel begins with Jerome Belsey, the eldest son of Howard and Kiki Belsey, falling in love with Victoria Kipps, the daughter of Monty and Carlene Kipps. Jerome is a devout Christian who wants to marry Victoria, but she rejects him after a brief affair. Jerome returns home heartbroken and disillusioned.
Howard Belsey is a Rembrandt scholar who doesn't like Rembrandt. He is an Englishman abroad and a long-suffering professor at Wellington College, a liberal arts college. He has been married for thirty years to Kiki Belsey, an American woman who no longer resembles the sexy activist she once was. Their marriage is strained by Howard's infidelity and Kiki's insecurity.
Their other two children are Zora and Levi. Zora is a smart but arrogant student who wants to impress her father and his colleagues. Levi is a rebellious teenager who rejects his family's privilege and seeks authentic blackness in the streets.
Monty Kipps is a right-wing icon who writes books on morality and politics. He is also Howard's academic rival and nemesis. He moves to Wellington with his family to teach as a visiting professor. His wife Carlene is a kind and generous woman who suffers from a terminal illness. His son Michael is a handsome and charming young man who attracts Zora's attention.
The novel follows the events that unfold when the two families meet and interact in various ways. There are arguments, affairs, scandals, secrets, revelations, tragedies, and reconciliations. There are also moments of humor, joy, beauty, and grace.
The Characters of On Beauty
One of the strengths of On Beauty is its rich and complex characterization. Smith creates characters that are flawed, realistic, and relatable. They are not stereotypes or caricatures, but people with depth and nuance. They have their own histories, motivations, and perspectives. They make mistakes, but they also learn and grow.
The novel explores the relationships between the characters, especially within and across the two families. It shows how they influence, challenge, and change each other. It also shows how they cope with their own struggles and conflicts, such as identity, culture, class, gender, sexuality, faith, and art.
The Themes of On Beauty
On Beauty is a novel that tackles many themes and issues that are relevant and important in today's world. Some of the main themes are:
Family and Marriage
The novel examines the dynamics of family and marriage, both in their positive and negative aspects. It shows how family can be a source of love, support, and belonging, but also of pain, disappointment, and resentment. It shows how marriage can be a bond of intimacy, loyalty, and friendship, but also of betrayal, boredom, and conflict. It shows how family and marriage can evolve over time, for better or for worse.
Race and Identity
The novel explores the issues of race and identity, especially in relation to the black experience in America and Britain. It shows how race affects the characters' sense of self, their relationships, their opportunities, and their challenges. It shows how race is not a simple or fixed category, but a complex and fluid one. It shows how race intersects with other factors, such as class, culture, education, and politics.
Art and Aesthetics
The novel reflects on the role and value of art and aesthetics in human life. It shows how art can inspire, educate, entertain, and provoke. It shows how art can express beauty, truth, emotion, and meaning. It shows how art can also be controversial, subjective, elitist, and political. It shows how art can influence and be influenced by the society and culture in which it is created and consumed.
How to Read On Beauty in Different Formats?
If you are interested in reading On Beauty by Zadie Smith, you have several options to choose from. You can read it in print or digital formats. You can also read it in different languages. One of the most popular digital formats is EPUB. Another one is MOBI. But what are these formats and how can you convert them?
What is EPUB?
EPUB stands for Electronic Publication. It is a free and open standard format for e-books. It is designed to be compatible with various devices and platforms, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, e-readers, etc. It is also designed to be flexible and adaptable to different screen sizes, fonts, layouts, etc.
An EPUB file has the extension .epub. It is composed of three elements: a ZIP archive that contains the files of the book; an XML file that defines the structure and metadata of the book; and a collection of HTML files that contain the content of the book.
What is MOBI?
MOBI stands for Mobipocket. It is another format for e-books that was developed by a French company called Mobipocket SA. It was later acquired by Amazon in 2005. It is mainly used for Amazon's Kindle devices and apps.
How to Convert EPUB to MOBI?
If you have an EPUB file and you want to read it on a Kindle device or app, you need to convert it to MOBI format. There are different ways to do this, depending on your preferences and resources. Here are some of the most common methods:
Online Converters
One of the easiest and fastest ways to convert EPUB to MOBI is to use an online converter. There are many websites that offer this service for free or for a small fee. All you need to do is upload your EPUB file, choose the output format (MOBI), and download the converted file. Some of the most popular online converters are:
Zamzar
Online-Convert
EPUB Converter
However, there are some drawbacks to using online converters. For example, you may have to wait for a long time if the website is busy or if your file is large. You may also lose some formatting or quality in the conversion process. You may also have to deal with ads or pop-ups on the website. And you may have to worry about the security and privacy of your file.
Desktop Software
Another way to convert EPUB to MOBI is to use a desktop software. This means that you have to download and install a program on your computer that can perform the conversion. This may take more time and space than using an online converter, but it may also give you more control and options over the conversion process. Some of the most popular desktop software for converting EPUB to MOBI are:
Calibre
Hamster Free eBook Converter
Any eBook Converter
However, there are some drawbacks to using desktop software. For example, you may have to update the software regularly to keep up with the latest features and bug fixes. You may also have to deal with compatibility issues with different operating systems or devices. And you may have to learn how to use the software properly and efficiently.
E-reader Devices
A third way to convert EPUB to MOBI is to use an e-reader device that supports both formats. This means that you can transfer your EPUB file to your device and let it do the conversion automatically. This may be the most convenient and seamless way to read your EPUB file on a Kindle device or app. Some of the e-reader devices that support both EPUB and MOBI formats are:
Kobo
Nook
PocketBook
However, there are some drawbacks to using an e-reader device. For example, you may have to pay more money for a device that supports both formats than for a device that supports only one format. You may also have to deal with battery life and storage space issues on your device. And you may have to rely on your device's performance and quality for the conversion process.
Why You Should Read On Beauty by Zadie Smith?
Now that you know what On Beauty is about and how to read it in different formats, you may be wondering why you should read it at all. Well, there are many reasons why On Beauty is a great book that deserves your attention and appreciation. Here are some of them:
It is a well-written and engaging novel that will keep you hooked from start to finish.
It is a witty and insightful novel that will make you laugh and think.
It is a diverse and inclusive novel that will expose you to different cultures and perspectives.
It is a relevant and important novel that will challenge you to question your own assumptions and values.
It is a beautiful and meaningful novel that will inspire you to appreciate the beauty and complexity of life.
In conclusion, On Beauty by Zadie Smith is a novel that explores family, culture, and art in a captivating and profound way. It is a novel that you can read in different formats, such as EPUB and MOBI, depending on your preferences and resources. It is a novel that you should read if you are looking for a book that will enrich your mind and soul.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions that people have about On Beauty by Zadie Smith:
Is On Beauty a sequel to Howards End?
No, On Beauty is not a sequel to Howards End. It is a loose adaptation of Howards End, which means that it borrows some elements from the original novel, such as the plot, the characters, and the themes, but it also changes and updates them to fit the contemporary context. You do not need to read Howards End before reading On Beauty, but you may enjoy finding the similarities and differences between the two novels.
Is On Beauty autobiographical?
No, On Beauty is not autobiographical. It is a fictional novel that is inspired by Smith's own experiences and observations, but it is not based on her actual life or family. Smith has said that she used some aspects of her own background, such as her mixed-race identity, her academic career, and her love for art, to create the characters and the setting of the novel, but she also used her imagination and creativity to make them distinct and original.
Is On Beauty a feminist novel?
Yes, On Beauty can be considered a feminist novel. It is a novel that features strong and complex female characters who have their own agency, voice, and goals. It is a novel that explores the issues of gender and sexuality, such as sexism, misogyny, objectification, harassment, infidelity, etc. It is a novel that challenges the stereotypes and expectations that society imposes on women, especially women of color. It is a novel that celebrates the diversity and beauty of women in all their forms and expressions.
Is On Beauty a comedy or a tragedy?
On Beauty is both a comedy and a tragedy. It is a comedy because it has many humorous scenes and dialogues that will make you laugh out loud. It is also a tragedy because it has many sad and dramatic events that will make you cry or feel sorry for the characters. It is a novel that balances humor and pathos, lightness and darkness, joy and sorrow. It is a novel that reflects the reality of life, which is often a mixture of comedy and tragedy.
Is On Beauty a classic?
On Beauty can be considered a classic in the making. It is a novel that has received critical acclaim and popular success since its publication. It has won several awards, such as the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2006, and it has been shortlisted for other prestigious prizes, such as the Man Booker Prize in 2005. It has also been praised by many readers and reviewers as one of the best novels of the 21st century. It has been translated into many languages and adapted into other media forms, such as theater and film. It has also been studied and taught in many schools and universities around the world. It is a novel that has made an impact on the literary scene and on the cultural landscape. It is a novel that will endure and be remembered for years to come.
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