The Belsey Family
Howard Belsey: A white British art history professor at Wellington University who is an expert on Rembrandt. He is married to Kiki and has three children - Jerome, Zora, and Levi. Howard is an atheist and considers himself liberal, but has an affair with a colleague.

Kiki Belsey: Howard's African-American wife. Kiki is a strong-willed woman who is hurt by Howard's infidelity. She befriends Monty Kipps's wife Carlene despite the rivalry between their families.

Jerome Belsey: The Belsey's eldest son who briefly works as an intern for the conservative Christian Kipps family, much to his father's dismay. Jerome later has a relationship with Victoria Kipps.

Zora Belsey: The Belsey's daughter who is passionate about academia and clashes with her father's views. She becomes friends with a poorer African-American man.

Levi Belsey: The youngest Belsey child who is interested in hip hop culture and befriends a poorer African-American man.

The Kipps Family
Monty Kipps: A conservative Trinidadian professor who is Howard's rival at Wellington University. Monty challenges Howard's liberal views.

Carlene Kipps: Monty's wife who befriends Kiki. Carlene leaves a Haitian painting to Kiki in her will.

Victoria Kipps: Monty and Carlene's daughter who has relationships with both Jerome Belsey and Howard Belsey

AI creation

"On Beauty" has been generally well-received by critics and readers alike. Critics have lauded Smith's writing style, particularly her wit, sharp dialogue, and rich character development.

The novel is celebrated for its exploration of themes such as race, class, politics, and family dynamics. It delves into issues of identity and cultural conflict, which resonate with many readers.

"On Beauty" is seen as a homage to E.M. Forster's "Howards End," and this intertextuality has been appreciated by readers familiar with Forster's work.

Many readers find "On Beauty" engaging and thought-provoking. It has been praised for its readability and the way it tackles serious themes with a light touch. While the novel is generally well-liked, some readers have noted its dense prose and the slow pacing in parts, which may not appeal to everyone.

Overall, "On Beauty" is regarded as a significant work in contemporary literature, admired for its insightful exploration of social issues and its richly drawn characters. Zadie Smith's ability to blend humor with serious themes has made the novel a standout piece in her oeuvre.

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