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Winter is the second book I’ve read by Ali Smith (Public Library and Other Stories was the first one). Both times I had to recalibrate my brain according to the following rules in order to enjoy the reading experience:

-Slow down � the book is short but you can’t speed through it.
-Give in to the lack of linearity � allow yourself to float and flit in time.
-Open up to the impressionistic feel of the story and language � working too hard to understand what’s happening seems to defeat the point.

The book is told primarily through the voice and eyes of aging Sophia and her adult son Art. The hub of the narrative is a Christmas in England when Sophia, Art, Sophia’s sister, and Art’s pretend girlfriend come together in Sophia’s house. Sophia’s mind seems to be failing, so her thoughts skip to different time periods, all the while revealing her as challenging and prickly. Art is a tad odd too, somewhat awed and beleaguered by his mother, trying more or less to make sense and gain some control over his own life.

In the background, contemporary news flows in from time to time, referring to Trump as the US president, suggesting political chaos beyond the personal chaos of these characters.

I’m not really doing Winter and Smith justice. Winter is not a book for everyone, but I really enjoyed the writing, the characters and feel of it once my brain fell in sync with the book’s sensibility.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.