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klparmley's review against another edition
4.0
I never had a clue where this was going to end up. It's very good straight fiction. (Straight as in no critters or bizarre plot twists, not a reference to gender. It is a novel about people getting on with their lives.)
aylamai's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
heybalestoo's review against another edition
4.0
Another brilliant novel by Zadie Smith. A powerful story of friendship, hardship, cultural and societal pressures and growing up. It takes you through the friendship -- the highs and lows -- of two women, starting at the beginning, as young children meeting in their neighborhood dance class and forming a bond over their love of dance. It takes up the issues of education in relation to poverty, the white savior complex, and the systemic racial inequalities rooted in our history of slavery. A well written, thought provoking, engaging novel.
areesastock704's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
katykelly's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
White Teeth is one of my favourite books, so I was fully prepared for another broad sweep of themes and places, some dark humour and deep thoughts.
Maybe they were there, but I just didn’t connect with the story of two childhood friends, one who grows up to be a professional dancer, the other (our main character) who ends up as a celebrity pop star’s personal assistant. Half of the story takes us through their childhoods and adolescences together, the other half follows (I’ve already forgotten if she’s unnamed or I’ve just blanked on her name) our protagonist’s recent experiences as PA, helping her build a girl’s school in Africa.
The title refers to a particular Fred Astaire film both girls watched obsessively as young girls before different schools, directions and finally life, separates them. I loved the descriptions of the pair watching old musicals, and really enjoyed seeing the main character’s mum develop from an academic writing essays and reading to a more powerful community member, political and influential. The Africa segments frustrated me, and the return near the end to former best friend Tracey, I didn’t really like at all.
I did finish this, but it wasn’t because I was enjoying it. I wanted to know if I would come to find it more compelling as the end neared, but for me, it didn’t hit a nerve.
I thought I might find the life of a celebrity PA more fascinating than I did, but that petered out somewhat too for me.
Not what I was hoping for, maybe because I’m not a dancer. But I don’t think it will hold wide appeal for men, having an almost exclusively female set of characters and stories. Female friendship, mother/daughter relationships, dancing. I think it’s the 25-45 female demographic that would be most inclined to try this.
With thanks to the publisher for the advance copy, sent for review purposes.
White Teeth is one of my favourite books, so I was fully prepared for another broad sweep of themes and places, some dark humour and deep thoughts.
Maybe they were there, but I just didn’t connect with the story of two childhood friends, one who grows up to be a professional dancer, the other (our main character) who ends up as a celebrity pop star’s personal assistant. Half of the story takes us through their childhoods and adolescences together, the other half follows (I’ve already forgotten if she’s unnamed or I’ve just blanked on her name) our protagonist’s recent experiences as PA, helping her build a girl’s school in Africa.
The title refers to a particular Fred Astaire film both girls watched obsessively as young girls before different schools, directions and finally life, separates them. I loved the descriptions of the pair watching old musicals, and really enjoyed seeing the main character’s mum develop from an academic writing essays and reading to a more powerful community member, political and influential. The Africa segments frustrated me, and the return near the end to former best friend Tracey, I didn’t really like at all.
I did finish this, but it wasn’t because I was enjoying it. I wanted to know if I would come to find it more compelling as the end neared, but for me, it didn’t hit a nerve.
I thought I might find the life of a celebrity PA more fascinating than I did, but that petered out somewhat too for me.
Not what I was hoping for, maybe because I’m not a dancer. But I don’t think it will hold wide appeal for men, having an almost exclusively female set of characters and stories. Female friendship, mother/daughter relationships, dancing. I think it’s the 25-45 female demographic that would be most inclined to try this.
With thanks to the publisher for the advance copy, sent for review purposes.
kattyenn's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Child abuse
Minor: Drug use and Incest
lucyedwardes's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hotsexyandinareadingslump's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
aidanrt's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
howtobebooks's review against another edition
5.0
This is probably my favourite Zadie Smith novel, deeply touching with characters bursting to life out of the pages. Hitting on themes of racial identity and pop culture, it is a brilliant contemporary take on what young adults are currently experiencing. From cultural appropriation to the effects of globalisation all summed up in the relationship of one young woman and her peers.
Her relationship with her mother is one of generational divide while with her friend Tracy is one of class divide. The protagonist's character is the epitome of confusion and attempting to find a place in the world. Well worth all the praise.
Her relationship with her mother is one of generational divide while with her friend Tracy is one of class divide. The protagonist's character is the epitome of confusion and attempting to find a place in the world. Well worth all the praise.