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Most Helpful Reviews
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Liked It5 of 5 members found this review helpful “I was dreading a 'why am I doing this to myself' experience when I finally decided that the time had come to tackle this novel. I had procrastinated so much that I have two copies (one a 1st ed. hbk). Nevertheless, I grudgingly admit that this is an utter barn-stormer of a novel. The 500+ pages...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “Overrated. One reviewer remarked that Zadie Smith is prodigiously clever. That is undeniably true, but it's not enough to make this the Great Novel others have worked it up to be. Great characters, spectacular writing, and interesting takes on assimilation and multiculturalism end up as no more...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“I liked the book but was really disappointed with the ending.”
Lector wrote this review Tuesday, April 16, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Time Magazine's 100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005, White Teeth is a story about two wartime buddies and their immigrant families in London. It delves into themes like family politics, culture and class with ample humour. I look forward to seeing the Channel 4 television adaptation of the novel. ”
Komi wrote this review Tuesday, March 12, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Brilliant”
dinsbw wrote this review Saturday, February 16, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Rich, complex, and funny, this book takes the reader inside a multicultural, multigenerational community of immigrants in London. Amazing dialog. Highly recommended.”
Eleanor Vincent wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Epic novel that is reminiscent of Rushdie. Fantastic. ”
CBPham wrote this review Monday, February 11, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Zadie Smith's "White Teeth" is a book of quirky and all too human characters. I found it fascinating--like watching train wreck that you know is going to happen to the characters and being totally helpless to save them from themselves. I was never bored--a good sign.”
karen k wrote this review Monday, February 4, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Interesting, but not a favorite..”
Crossbike wrote this review Sunday, January 27, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“sarcastic, serious, dramatic, witty portrayal of British intercultural society”
Roli wrote this review Sunday, January 20, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I read Zadie Smith's novel with my Sunday book group and I'm glad I was introduced to this author. The story itself mixes pathos and humor, all the while illustrating the dilemmas of immigrants and their offspring as they are confronted by a new, and very different, society. The reader can determine certain qualities and negativeness about certain non-British cultures while they are contrasted in the setting of an altogether different host culture. Middle-and working-class British cultures are also satirized through the characters of the Chalfens and Archie.
jwhenderson wrote this review Saturday, January 5, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
As part of the characters' experience as immigrants, they are confronted with conflicts between assimilating and preserving their cultures. The novel depicts the lives of a wide range of backgrounds, including Afro-Caribbean, Muslim, and Jewish. Just as the quote at the beginning of the novel states, “What is past is prologue.” Smith uses the characters and their various cultural backgrounds to show the complexity involved in immigration and replanting one’s roots. The multiple view points allow for Smith to approach the idea of multiculturalism and the racial undercurrents of Western society from the viewpoints of many different characters. While characters like Alsana deal with the prejudices of London society, she, too, can subscribe to similar prejudices.
The novel, while not plot driven, did not drag and I found the experiences described by the author to enrich my reading life.”
