The Fraud

2023 novel by Zadie Smith

The Fraud: A Novel

2023 Penguin book jacket

Author| Zadie Smith
Subject| Fiction - Trials, litigation, William Harrison Ainsworth, Imposters, Housekeepers, London.
Genre| Novel, historical fiction
Set in| 19th-century London
Published| September 2023
Publisher| Penguin
Publication place| United Kingdom, United States
Media type| Print, E-book, Audio
ISBN| 9780525558965
Website| Official website

The Fraud is a historical novel based on the Tichborne case written by Zadie Smith and published by Penguin Random House in 2023.[1][2][3][4]

## Synopsis

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Mrs Touchet is the Scottish housekeeper and a cousin by marriage of William Harrison Ainsworth. In 1873 she has been living with him for thirty years in London, Brighton and Surrey. He used to be a famed novelist. In 1834 his gothic novel Rookwood was a popular serial. Later he got negative reviews, and he had a conflict with Charles Dickens and illustrator George Cruikshank.

All of England is captivated with a trial. Roger Tichborne, rightful heir to a baronetcy and a family fortune, was presumed to have died in a shipwreck in 1854, but now a man claims to be him. Andrew Bogle, who grew up as a slave on a Jamaican sugar plantation, is a star witness.

## Reception

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According to The New York Times, Smith's "new novel, 'The Fraud,' is based on a celebrated 19th-century criminal trial, but it keeps one eye focused clearly on today's political populism."[1] According to the Los Angeles Times, "Not only is [the novel] set in 19th century England with a sprawling cast of characters high and low, but Charles Dickens himself makes an appearance, charming everyone except those who envy his success. But there's more to this brilliant new entry in Smith's catalog than a simple literary romp."[4]

## Accolades

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The Fraud by Zadie Smith has garnered accolades. It was selected as a New York Times book of the year 2023, [5] a New Yorker magazine 2023 book of the year[6] and a Washington Post hardcover bestseller in December 2023.[7]

## References

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1. ^ a b Set in the 1830s and 1870s the novel follows Eliza Touchet, a cousin by marriage and former lover of William Harrison Ainsworth who becomes fascinated with Roger Tichborne and attends the trial of the claimant. Mahajan, Karan (August 28, 2023). "Zadie Smith Makes 1860s London Feel Alive, and Recognizable". The New York Times. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
2. ^ Chakraborty, Abhrajyoti (August 27, 2023). "The Fraud by Zadie Smith review – a trial and no errors". The Guardian. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
3. ^ Charles, Ron (August 30, 2023). "In Zadie Smith's 'The Fraud,' truth is an illusion". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
4. ^ a b Kellog, Carolyn (August 30, 2023). "What Zadie Smith's new Dickensian delight tells us about the Trump base". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
5. ^ "The 10 Best Books of 2023". The New York Times. 28 November 2023.
6. ^ "The Best Books of 2023". The New Yorker. 25 January 2023.
7. ^ Washington Post. December 6, 2023. See the eight entry.

## External links

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* Official website
* ISBN 9780525558965

* v
* t
* e

Works by Zadie Smith

Novels|

* White Teeth
* The Autograph Man
* On Beauty
* NW
* Swing Time
* The Fraud

Essay collections|

* Feel Free
* Intimations

Short story collections|

* Grand Union

Plays|

* The Wife of Willesden

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