Component

Ali Smith offers a beam of light in bleak times, weaving the fate of artist Sandy Gray from the 21st century with events from plague-ridden medieval England.

“In searching for answers in medieval history, to make sense of an uncertain future, ‘The Component’ is a collection of stories and experiences.” — The Guardian

A day spent in a closed border-control room with no explanation. A mystery with no apparent answer: a curlew or a curfew?

Sandy receives a sudden call from an ex-classmate, asking for help deciphering mysterious words connected to an ancient artifact. With this setup, Ali Smith unfolds a broader story about loneliness, inner vulnerability, and freedom.

“This book is a mosaic of the most important themes of our time.” — Esquire