About the book
WINNER OF THE DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD 2026
SHORTLISTED FOR THE GORDON BOWKER VOLCANO PRIZE 2025
SHORTLISTED FOR THE HIGHLAND BOOK PRIZE 2024
‘Miraculous . . . tender, hilarious and ultimately uplifting. A ray of hope’ Paul Murray, Irish Times
Once upon a time, not very far from now, two children come home to find a line of wet red paint round the outside of their house . . .
So begins the freewheeling and urgent new novel from Ali Smith – the story of two young people and a horse called Gliff, on the run from history as it takes a turn for the worse.
‘A voice that moves with lightness and precision, where bravery and goodness triumph in spirit over jeopardy and fear’ Financial Times
‘One of Smith’s most propulsive stories – a dark adventure with high stakes, which is still a sparklingly crisp read. A new Ali Smith book is always an event’ Holly Williams, i
‘Ali Smith’s marvellous Gliff considers the complexities of our present moment and the thorny, bridling potential of possible futures with wit, care and craft. A masterpiece of storytelling about storytelling, exploring the delighting, dangerous power of language and connectivity’ Eley Williams
Editions of Gliff
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780241665572
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780241665589
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781405959452
- EBook
- ISBN 9781405959469
Read an Excerpt
WINNER OF THE DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD 2026
SHORTLISTED FOR THE GORDON BOWKER VOLCANO PRIZE 2025
SHORTLISTED FOR THE HIGHLAND BOOK PRIZE 2024
‘Miraculous . . . tender, hilarious and ultimately uplifting. A ray of hope’ Paul Murray, Irish Times
Once upon a time, not very far from now, two children come home to find a line of wet red paint round the outside of their house . . .
So begins the freewheeling and urgent new novel from Ali Smith – the story of two young people and a horse called Gliff, on the run from history as it takes a turn for the worse.
‘A voice that moves with lightness and precision, where bravery and goodness triumph in spirit over jeopardy and fear’ Financial Times
‘One of Smith’s most propulsive stories – a dark adventure with high stakes, which is still a sparklingly crisp read. A new Ali Smith book is always an event’ Holly Williams, i
‘Ali Smith’s marvellous Gliff considers the complexities of our present moment and the thorny, bridling potential of possible futures with wit, care and craft. A masterpiece of storytelling about storytelling, exploring the delighting, dangerous power of language and connectivity’ Eley Williams
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gliff about?
WINNER OF THE DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD 2026
SHORTLISTED FOR THE GORDON BOWKER VOLCANO PRIZE 2025
SHORTLISTED FOR THE HIGHLAND BOOK PRIZE 2024
‘Miraculous . . . tender, hilarious and ultimately uplifting. A ray of hope’ Paul Murray, Irish Times
Once upon a time, not very far from now, two children come home to find a line of wet red paint round the outside of their house . . .
So begins the freewheeling and urgent new novel from Ali Smith – the story of two young people and a horse called Gliff, on the run from history as it takes a turn for the worse.
‘A voice that moves with lightness and precision, where bravery and goodness triumph in spirit over jeopardy and fear’ Financial Times
‘One of Smith’s most propulsive stories – a dark adventure with high stakes, which is still a sparklingly crisp read. A new Ali Smith book is always an event’ Holly Williams, i
‘Ali Smith’s marvellous Gliff considers the complexities of our present moment and the thorny, bridling potential of possible futures with wit, care and craft. A masterpiece of storytelling about storytelling, exploring the delighting, dangerous power of language and connectivity’ Eley Williams
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Gliff?
Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre > Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general
Where can I read a sample of Gliff?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780241665572
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Gliff?
Ali Smith
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Gliff is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780241665572) and paperback(ISBN 9780241665589) and paperback(ISBN 9781405959452) and ebook(ISBN 9781405959469)
Where can I buy Gliff online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Gliff from below