Reviews

White Teeth by Zadie Smith

tizo's review against another edition

challenging funny lighthearted reflective sad slow-paced

4.5

helenlovesthelibrary's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

nats2643's review against another edition

challenging funny reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

So frustrating! I could see the absolute germs of genius within the text. The wry observations, the humour, the incredibly believable and detailed characters...but for all their 3D nature, I didn't care about a single one of them. The plot was weak, if not non existent, their were long rambling passages, conjectures and musings. I found myself listening on double speed and just willing myself through to the end.
I'd try a Zadie Smith novel again, but this for me was a big disappointment. I wanted to like it so much, but in the end I just found it irritating, long-winded and boring.

alextbrouwer's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny medium-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

4.25

dean_the_bean's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

rosslothian's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

hopeyhope's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

idicalini's review against another edition

challenging funny slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was an interesting read, but hard to rate. I think the characters were generally masterfully written - they are funny, flawed, diverse, and I feel like Zadie Smith was able to capture characters quite well with very specific phrases, thoughts etc. Sometimes they were a bit of a caricature, but since the writing style itself is also quite funny, it wasn't too distracting.

But the plot is a bit ... weak, maybe? Things happen, but it's very slow. The ending, when it all comes together, is definitely enjoyable, especially the twist with the scientist. 

kaykal's review against another edition

challenging dark funny 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

theteaisaddictive's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

An absolutely masterful work of fiction, and one I can’t believe I never read until now. Very excited to read more of her books in the future!