Here in book form are four lectures given by Ali Smith at Oxford University a tidal wave of ideas in four thematically organised bursts of thought: On Time On Form On Edge & On Offer & On Reflection. Refusing to be tied down to either fiction or the essay form Artful" is narrated by a character who is haunted
- literally
- by a former lover the writer of a series of lectures about art & literature. Full of both the poignancy & humour of fiction & all the sideways insights & jaunty angles you would expect from Ali Smiths criticism it explores form style life love death mortality immortality & what art & writing can mean. Shortlisted for the Man Booker prize & the Orange prize & winner of the Encore Award & the Arts Council Scottish Book Award Ali Smith is one of our most interesting writers at work today. " Artful" shows her at her most innovative warm & generous best. " Smith can make anything happen which is why she is one of our most exciting writers today". (" Daily Telegraph"). " Shes a genius genuinely modern in the heroic glorious sense". (Alain de Botton). "A true & valuable British original". (Nick Hornby). " Smiths love of language lights up all her books.. .shes someone to relish". (" The New York Times Book Review"). Ali Smith was born in Inverness in 1962 & lives in Cambridge. She is the author of " There but for the" " Free Love" " Like" " Hotel World" " Other Stories & Other Stories" " The Whole Story & Other Stories" " The Accidental" " Girl Meets Boy" & " The First Person & Other Stories"."