NW

In Zadie Smith's novel NW, set in Northwest London, the Caldwell housing estate serves as a backdrop for the lives of four former residents: Leah, Natalie, Felix, and Nathan. Each has forged their own path, yet they remain intertwined in an atomized city where community feels increasingly elusive. When an unexpected visitor arrives at Leah's door seeking assistance, it disrupts her carefully maintained isolation and challenges their individual worlds. Through various encounters within the urban landscape, Smith crafts a poignant portrayal of modern city life, blending humor and tragedy in a narrative as dynamic as the city itself.