White Teeth by Zadie Smith

This is a big book which starts on January 1st 1975 with Archie attempting suicide and being saved. He then goes to an End of the World party (the Jehovah's Witnesses had predicted that the world would end on that day) and meets a black girl who becomes his wife and by whom he has a child. The book charts the story of his family and the child and the story of his best friend (an Indian waiter who has twin sons) and WWII comrade with a series of flash backs. There is some wonderful humour and some bizarre goings on and the book gradually builds to another New Year climax. It is a fabulous read and I enjoyed it thoroughly ... until the ending which I thought was a massive damp squib.

The remaining puzzle is: what has it all to do with teeth? I know there is a pivotal incident with false teeth but it still seemed tangential.

Shortlisted for the 2000 Women's Prize; winner of the James Tait Black memorial prize in 2000.

If you like Zadie Smith you might also enjoy The Autograph Man but please read the wonderful NW and Swing Time

Jan 2009

This review was written by the author of Bally and Bro, Motherdarling  and The Kids of God