The Accidental

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Before writing her acclaimed novel, Ali Smith authored Hotel World, shortlisted for the Orange Prize and the Man Booker Prize, along with several short story collections. Her unique, quirky style features passages that seem misplaced and historical asides that diverge from the main narrative. However, every word serves a purpose. The story begins when Amber unexpectedly appears at the Smart family's rented summer cottage in Norfolk, barefoot and enigmatic. Eve Smart, a struggling author with writer's block, mistakenly believes Amber is a friend of her womanizing husband, Michael, a university professor. Confusion reigns as Amber is invited to dinner, revealing herself as a master manipulator who seduces each family member in significant ways. Eve's son Magnus, burdened by guilt from a classmate's suicide, is particularly vulnerable. Just as he contemplates suicide, Amber intervenes, leading to a series of outrageous events that blur reality and delusion. The family's perspectives on the same events create a Rashomon-like effect, deepening the mystery surrounding Amber. Ultimately, Eve forces Amber to leave after a troubling incident, prompting the family to reassess their identities and the impact of this "accidental" encounter. This engrossing narrative raises as many questions as it answers.