Zadie Smith’s The Fraud is a historical fiction bringing the power of narrative to the foreground

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Truth, perspective, authenticity, and justice are what Zadie Smith brings in TheFraud. This rather long novel is set in 1873, where the main narrative follows Eliza Touchet, a housekeeper for writer William Ainsworth, who grapples with her cousin’s inflated sense of self and their disagreements on politics, injustice, and colonialism. Alongside Eliza, Andrew Bogle, a former Jamaican plantation slave, finds himself in London as a witness in a high-stakes case, highlighting issues of slavery, prejudice, and justice. The novel expertly incorporates real events and characters into its narrative, accompanied by vibrant descriptions, witty dialogue, and a scathing critique of the relationship between England and Jamaica. However, the book's downfall lies in its excessive length, with numerous subplots and descriptions that overshadow the core themes and questions about storytelling and England’s past — which may overwhelm readers, unless they fancy a historical fiction novel that they can befriend for weeks — or months.