Zadie Smith Explores Identity and Power in New Essay Collection

Zadie Smith’s latest essay collection, Dead and Alive, published on November 11, 2025, by Hamish Hamilton, marks her return to the literary scene with a profound exploration of identity, power, and the human experience. This new work is her fourth collection, following Changing My Mind (2009), Feel Free (2018), and Intimations (2020), and it showcases Smith’s ability to weave personal narratives with broader social themes.

The essays span a diverse array of topics including art criticism, the film Tár, the British rapper Stormzy, and reflections on historical figures such as Joan Didion. Despite the variety, a central thread emerges: the intricate relationship between identity and age, and how these elements intersect within the context of contemporary society.

One of the standout essays, titled Fascinated to Presume: In Defence of Fiction, encapsulates Smith’s belief in the power of fiction to convey profound truths. She reflects on her own novels, questioning how effectively they resonate with readers on the themes of loss and belonging. Smith emphasizes the importance of empathy in character development, a skill that distinguishes her from many of her contemporaries.

In her debut novel, White Teeth, Smith crafted characters from diverse backgrounds, successfully avoiding the common pitfalls of first-time authors. She brings to life characters such as Samad Iqbal and Archie Jones, who, despite being significantly older, are portrayed with depth and authenticity. This ability to create relatable and rich characters underscores Smith’s literary prowess.

Throughout Dead and Alive, Smith highlights the necessity of genuine representation in literature and history. Growing up in London during the 1980s, she recalls the absence of black voices in her education. Discovering authors like Toni Morrison and Gretchen Gerzina inspired her to address the complexities of a multiracial Britain in her writing. She argues that literature must reflect diverse narratives to accurately portray society.

Examining the impact of technology on our lives, Smith’s essay Some Notes on Mediated Time critiques the way social media has altered our perception of time and reality. She nostalgically contrasts modern media with the storytelling of her childhood, suggesting that the commodification of time has eroded our connection to shared experiences.

As she approaches her fiftieth birthday, Smith’s reflections on age and the generational divide take on a political dimension. She posits that the degradation of communal spaces in favor of monetization is a critical issue that affects all aspects of life, including the arts.

In her political essays, Smith confronts pressing issues with both clarity and nuance. An essay critiquing former President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan highlights the enduring suffering of marginalized communities, drawing parallels between historical and contemporary narratives of oppression. However, Smith also acknowledges that her engagement with conventional politics may not be her strongest suit, often opting for more literary explorations.

The literary essays in Dead and Alive showcase Smith’s enthusiasm for literature and her ability to encapsulate an author’s essence in a few poignant lines. In her elegies for notable figures like Didion and Toni Morrison, she demonstrates a unique critical voice that remains free from political bias, focusing instead on the power of their work.

While some of the longer essays risk diluting their impact with less engaging content, the collection remains a testament to Smith’s intellectual vigor and passion for storytelling. Dead and Alive ultimately stands as a reflective and thought-provoking addition to her body of work, showcasing her continued relevance in contemporary literature.