4.5 stars

Ali Smith has yet to disappoint me and I’m so thrilled about that! The Accidental was an absolute joy to read, and with the exception of one tiny chapter (I had the same issue with Hotel World), it was perfection. The chapter in question was written in verse and I don’t get on with poetry.
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The Accidental is the bizarre story of a young woman who wanders into a family’s holiday home and insinuates her way into their lives. Each member of the family thinks she’s there because of one of the others, but in fact, she’s a stranger.
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Her plots meander their way through the book but it’s the characters who make it really shine. Rarely do I read such deep character explorations, Smith examines every minute detail of their lives that you feel like a part of the family. It’s a very intense reading experience!
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I wouldn’t recommend Ali Smith for people who aren’t a fan of stream-of-consciousness, but if you’re willing to give it a go and are looking for something truly vital that will pull you in, then definitely pick her up!