`Author:` Zadie Smith `Availability:` > [!info] > ## Summary ## Key Takeaways **Intimations (2020) – The Value of Thoughtful Companionship** This essay collection, written during the COVID-19 lockdown, reflects on **the nature of connection, [[Knowledge/solitude]], and intellectual companionship** in uncertain times. **Synopsis:** • Smith explores how isolation **forces people to rethink [[Relationships]]**, often revealing that intellectual and emotional bonds **outlast physical attraction**. • She discusses **[[Friendship]], [[Family]], and the role of literature**, showing that intellectual companionship can be a **source of [[Comfort]] and survival** during crisis. • While not explicitly about romantic [[Relationships]], the book suggests that **long-term intimacy is built on shared ideas and mutual understanding rather than fleeting passion**. **Key Themes:** • **The endurance of intellectual companionship:** Meaningful connections survive even in times of crisis because they **are based on shared thought, not just physical presence**. • **Solitude and reflection as a test of relationships:** The pandemic made people reassess which relationships truly matter—those **built on deep conversation** often proved the most resilient. • **Books and thought as lasting forms of [[Knowledge/Love]]:** Smith suggests that literature and intellectual exchange **create bonds that outlast romance or physical proximity**. 💡 **Connection to Eliot:** _Intimations_ echoes Eliot’s belief that **true companionship is built on the meeting of minds rather than passion alone**. ## Quotes - ## Notes `Concepts:` `Knowledge Base:` [[Books index]]