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paigeleland 's review for:
With Teeth
by Kristen Arnett
dark
funny
tense
fast-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
I’m part of the community and also have a very tough relationship with my own mom, so color my review with that lens.
I loved the pacing and the writing style of this book. It’s extremely literary and character based. The cast of characters are NOT lovable and yet, Arnett kept me sucked in for 300 pages.
This book is funny, realistic, descriptive and does a good job of painting a lesbian/queer family dynamic. The ending shows a lack of growth, despite of everything that happened. It hit me deeply as someone who has watched her own parent behave in a similar manner. The book doesn’t wrap up with a pretty bow; instead it reflects how most people are—deeply flawed with a refusal to change.
I also really love the title and the way teeth were used as a symbol throughout the novel.
I think a lot of other reviewers are used to pretty endings and tropes, but I found this book to be refreshing and uncomfortable, in the best of ways.
I loved the pacing and the writing style of this book. It’s extremely literary and character based. The cast of characters are NOT lovable and yet, Arnett kept me sucked in for 300 pages.
This book is funny, realistic, descriptive and does a good job of painting a lesbian/queer family dynamic. The ending shows a lack of growth, despite of everything that happened. It hit me deeply as someone who has watched her own parent behave in a similar manner. The book doesn’t wrap up with a pretty bow; instead it reflects how most people are—deeply flawed with a refusal to change.
I also really love the title and the way teeth were used as a symbol throughout the novel.
I think a lot of other reviewers are used to pretty endings and tropes, but I found this book to be refreshing and uncomfortable, in the best of ways.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Kidnapping, Stalking