Rating: 
Summary: Original and full of energy
Review: I really enjoyed white teeth by Zadie Smith. Not only is it wise, and well written, it is incredibly witty. To me, the story seems to be about the absurdity of humankind. It doesn't really matter which part of the world a person may come from, everyone is struggling to make sense of it all in their own inimitable way. She has a sagacity way beyond her years: the characters are real and human. It was easy to read the five hundred pages or so, because I was so curious as to what would happen next. It makes a refreshing change to read an energetic book by a young woman that is not introspective nonsense on 'how to catch a man', but instead intelligently consolidates life experiences and complex issues in to an altogether more expansive view of the way people think today. This takes tremendous talent. I hope this paves the way for broader perspectives from 20 and 30 something authors. The book is chaotic, fun and vital and is very much London (or perhaps any other cosmopolitan city) today. I read the paperback version which I bought from Amazon.co.uk (if I'm permitted to say that), and so can only hope that the US version has not changed too much of the quintessential London everyday language into Americanisms. Zadie Smith has a great understanding of dialogue, that she could so easily be a playwright. Perhaps because I grew up in London, of a mixed race family, I can understand much of what she says. I had to chuckle to myself when on public transport, despite the strange looks I received on the T. The book is topical and even touches upon scientific patenting, which was intriguing. There are many people in the UK and US who have very limited experience (if any) of non-whiteness, and those people who feel uncomfortable with such multicultural images should not read this. I, however, loved this book and eagerly look forward to her next novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Well Written Journey to Nowhere
Review: I agree with many of the reviewers. This is a very well written debut novel. However, after one stops being wowed by Smith's ability to write the book ceases to impress. She tells some good tales and describes people well, but where is the plot, what is the point. "Abrupt" does not sufficiently describe the end. There is no real attempt to tie anything together. I wonder if those who elaborately praised this book, finished it.
Rating:
Summary: A bit disappointing...
Review: ...probably because I had such high hopes for it. I enjoyed the writing style, and I think that Zadie Smith is a talented wordsmith. Unfortunately, the plot leaves something to be desired...the novel opens up some interesting doors but doesn't seem to really go anywhere with them or forge them together into a coherent whole. The main problem I had, however, was with the characters. If your audience cannot understand your characters' motivations, it's horribly difficult to view them as human beings and care about them or take an interest in their lives. Some of the actions and situations presented in the novel are so out of the realm of the reasonable that it was just to diffcult to suspend belief and enjoy it - I found myself spending too much time asking "Why the heck would he/she/it do that?". Perhaps that was the point - maybe the characters were supposed to be presented as stereotyped caricatures. But if so, it did not work for me. In the end, it's not a bad book, but nowhere near worthy of all the praise it's gotten.
Rating:
Summary: An impressive, beguiling debut
Review: Zadie Smith's "White Teeth" is a pure delight and stands head and shoulders over most literary debuts. What carries this along is the vibrancy of the words; it boggles the mind to think how anyone, regardless of age, can make such ordinary lives come to life in such unexpectedly varied ways. The scope is what I like most about 'White Teeth.' Unlike most so-called literary novels, Smith takes on the big external issues -- race, class, history, even genetic engineering -- without losing her affection for her characters. Much like David Foster Wallace, or even (yes) Salman Rushdie, there is a big palette of ideas, places, and backgrounds on display here. Each character gets his or her full due and chance to make a deep impression, without the plot strands coming undone. It's a big ride, only sometimes pretentious, filled with great humor, satire, and best of all heart.
Rating: 
Summary: remarkable talent
Review: This book is an amazing achievement for a young writer. The plot weaves through multicultural and cross-generational landscapes that make up the urban environment today. Along the way the reader is given much to consider in terms of relative values. The novel is populated by characters that truly breathe and they include a wide range of types including Islamic fundamentalists,Jehova Witnesses, smug Englishmen,Russian soldiers,rebellious teens,hypocritical adults and a genetically engineered mouse. Each page is an adventure. The story moves from various settings in London to flashback sequences involving WWII, jamaica and Bengal. Yet somehow MS. Smith brings all of these elements together in a tale that entertains us while making us consider how our roots influence us in ways that are not always obvious. In addition the language is witty and at times extremely humorous.This book deserves to be very widely read. An astounding first novel. I would find it more incredible if she has anything left after pouring so much into this one.
Rating: 
Summary: What a waste
Review: I bought this book because of positive reviews I had read about it and was utterly disappointed. I stopped reading a little more than halfway though because I did not care what happened to any of the characters. It is impressive for such a young author to have a book published, but unfortunate that the book falls far short of impressing.
Rating:
Summary: Great writer, poor reviewers
Review: Unlike some of the other reviewers here, I have only unqualified praise for this book. Some criticised the plot as wandering a bit. I completely disagree. The characters really came to life and THAT was what moved the plot along. Quoting one of the reviews: "I longed for something else to keep me turning the pages---like "what's this story about?" For me, the writing was too episodic---just a big collection of colorful characters and read more like a series of novelettes than one cohesive novel." What's this story about?!?! If you can't figure that one out, stick with John Grisham. I mean, we all have our own tastes, but this simply isn't a "page-turner" type of novel. So it shouldn't be criticised as if it were. The amazing thing, for someone so young, is Ms Smith's understanding of human nature and her grasp of the modern condition. Great stuff!
Rating:
Summary: Came in with a BANG! then fizzled...
Review: I actually bought this book at Heathrow planning to read it on the plane. I found it hard to get into. I really admire Zadie Smith because she's only a year or two older than me and she's written this... manifesto... something which I can currently only aspire to... But in all honesty, White teeth is not without it's flaws. Before anything, let me say White Teeth was extraordinarily well written, and for the most part entertaining. Smith's razor sharp wit will no doubt absorb you within the books pages at times - she's definitely someone you'd love to have a conversation with and just pick her brain. Throughout the book though, her linguistic acrobatics get somewhat tiresome... Personally I found some of the words she chooses to use, well, UNNECESSARY. I can't provide an example as I gave the book to my aunt to read, but she just seems to pick the most obscure words she possibly can at times. I found myself picking up my dictionary more than I ever have before which is not altogether a bad thing - but it creates blocks in my understanding and the flow of the story in my mind... it's just annoying after awhile! I disliked the ending. The last quarter of the book was a chore to read and it was anti-climactic. The third quarter I realised I disliked the friggin' Chalfens, I disliked Magid. I disliked the fact that he was sent away, PERIOD, nor could I understand the logic in that turn of events in the book. I REALLY liked Alsana and the Niece-of-Shame - I would have loved to have more of them in the book, as well as Clara. I just feel like Smith introduced me to these fantastis people I would have loved to have gotten to know further, and then just left them hanging when she had a gold mine of stories and sub-plots she could have created. I would have liked the relationship between Irie & Millat explored further, it just seemed to be glossed over and made insignificant to the greater story. By the end of the book, I didn't really feel for any of the character and didn't care about finishing the story - I did so only because I forced myself. Perhaps Smith had spread herself too thin with the enormous scope of the book? She definitely had all the fundamentals of a perfect story in place, but somehow it didn't come together. No doubt Zadie Smith is a talented writer and I'll definitely be looking forward to her next work. Most of my problems with white Teeth essentially stem from the fact that I disliked the way the story unfolded and the way the characters developed. I would have liked to have cared a bit more by the time I reached page three-hundred-and-whatever, but I was completely indifferent. Usually with books I love as I reach the closing pages I become panicked because I'm "not ready to leave their world" - with this one it was more like "hallelujah!".
Rating:
Summary: What a wild ride!
Review: I'm not sure where to start with this novel. However, here goes. I cannot believe that this is a first novel. The twists and turns in the plot are actually ever shortening circles that all converge in the end. The characters are funny, sad, ridiculous and believable all at once. The story takes place in London, but the characters are not necessarily English, but rather third world immigrants living in England, but not really making any effort to become British. Their stories are at once unbelievable and terribly funny and sad. This is an incredibly well written, complex, and character driven story that sweeps you along its improbable path in a strangely acceptable way. A great read!
Rating:
Summary: Scaling the heights
Review: I must confess that I wasn't sure what to expect. There had been so much hype about this debut novel. I picked it up more out of curiosity than anything. By page two I was hooked. ZS has gathered together a fascinating array of diverse characters. We have the sad figure of Archibald Jones who opens the novel trying to escape from life and does the same for much of the novel. He marries the younger and beautiful Clara Bowden who is escaping from her past. Her considerable front teeth have been lost following an unforunate encounter with a tree and a motor scooter. Archie's lifelong friend is Samad Ick-Ball whose marital decisions are made by way of wrestling matches. These four produce the three children whose lives take up much of the rest of the novel. The developing issues of racism, sexism and an experimental mouse (c) keep the novel moving at a fast pace full of wit, pathos and dental similies. But above all it is the characters. Not a pretty bunch. Not a pretty novel. But a definite must read. She had also created a new nown for the English language. Chalfenism. If you want to discover its meaning then you will need to read the book.
|
