On Beauty

Brief Overview

"On Beauty" is a novel by Zadie Smith that explores themes of race, family, art, and identity through the lens of two families: the Belseys and the Kippses. The story unfolds in the fictional town of Wellington, near Boston. Howard Belsey, a white British professor, is married to Kiki, an African American woman, and their marriage is going through a crisis. At the same time, their children grapple with questions of self-identity and cultural differences. The conflict between Howard and his rival, Monty Kipps, a conservative professor, leads to complex relationships between their families. The novel examines how personal and cultural differences shape relationships and perceptions of beauty in contemporary society.