Reviews tagging 'Racism'

White Teeth by Zadie Smith

30 reviews

linesiunderline's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny reflective slow-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

This book is SO MUCH. It has so much life, so many themes, characters, layers… it’s a book you need to devote yourself to, not a casual kind of reading experience. I’m glad to have finally picked it up, but I’m not going to pretend it wasn’t effortful at times.

A few words to describe Smith’s debut:

Crowded

Meandering 

Rich

Funny

Chaotic 

Epic
Intimate

Because of the sometimes chaotic feel, I didn’t feel consistently connected to the narrative and there were moments when I had to knuckle down and push on to get to the next section. Still, I was ultimately rewarded by it all.

I’ve been mixed reviews on the ending, but I thought it was outstanding.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Cursing, Drug use, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Infidelity, Racism, Xenophobia, and Islamophobia

Moderate: Domestic abuse, War, and Injury/Injury detail

bookishplantmom's review against another edition

reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.5

This was one beautifully written piece of fiction. It’s no wonder this became an instant classic. The topics explored in the novel are expansive and the discussion is presented with commendable nuance and intricacy. Parts 2 and 3 (Samat and Irie) were my personal favourites. I loved how the author tied everything back to Archie in the end as well. Beautiful! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexism

oraclebykittie's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective slow-paced

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

4.75

SHOWSTOPPING INCREDIBLE NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE. but seriously i think zadie smith writes in a way that brings so much life and interiority to ever single character introduced in this book, it is mesmerizing. the prose is a rlly engaging mix of meaningful and funny, and neither half conflicts the other. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Blood

Minor: Misogyny and Pregnancy

fionac326's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny reflective slow-paced

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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, and Xenophobia

hannahmcd94's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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

4.5

It’s a slow book, and usually I wolf them down but I had to take my time with this one - which initially I thought meant it was bad but I was hooked. The level of detail and then the times where you just don’t know what character you’re going to be introduced to next and the world Zadie creates that you get sucked into. I mean, it’s a book with not much plot and you’re never really sure where it’s going but it’s brilliant the diverse range of characters she can write

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Content Warnings

Minor: Animal cruelty, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, and Suicide attempt

katewilson's review against another edition

challenging dark funny 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? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, and Antisemitism

samalabaster's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, Car accident, and Suicide attempt

morganperks's review against another edition

slow-paced

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

I could not tell you a thing that happened in this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, Racism, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, and Religious bigotry

alomie's review against another edition

challenging dark funny slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I feel like if I'd have read this when it was first published I would have thought it was an excellent comment on culture.
As it was I found it a real struggle to relate to it. 
At its core I can see that it's objectively a good book, but i personally found it dated, which is weird but I think because it's set in recent(ish) modern times it just feels like looking at old pictures from the 80s and laughing at the perms and shoulder pads. 
It was most definitely character driven and honestly the characters were for the most part infuriating. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Cursing, Hate crime, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Gun violence

hereshereads's review against another edition

funny reflective slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism