Reviews

With Teeth by Kristen Arnett

ririsreads_'s review against another edition

4.0

I couldn’t put this book down. Kristen Arnett created characters that you just hate to love (and love to hate.) This book doesn’t shy away from showing just how messy life gets, and I honestly appreciated the frankness of every scenario in this story. The characters are absolutely infuriating most of the time, but I think that’s why this book was so good for me. Even in seemingly “perfect” relationships, shit goes awry. I also appreciated the commentary on parenting while queer and all the stipulations that come with that. I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading “Mostly Dead Things.”

zimmsie's review against another edition

4.0

Intense, but oddly intriguing.

roanfrancis's review against another edition

2.0

I did not like this depressing novel about a very unlikeable main character who spends the whole book making terrible and baffling decisions.

mmccue1997's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

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

3.25

pudding07's review against another edition

slow-paced

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

1.75

bbri's review against another edition

challenging tense medium-paced

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

4.0

jane_underground's review

sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

gabtat's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective fast-paced

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

3.5

strawberrycherry's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny medium-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

karmanderofmars's review against another edition

5.0

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book and I find myself unable to stop thinking about it since it’s finished. This is a case study about Sammie, local Florida woman who refuses to take any sort of action in her life to improve herself. It paints a clear picture of her throughout these pages, so much that I feel like I truly know this woman at the end. We all know these kinds of people: those who refuse to help themselves. I felt physically uncomfortable so many times due to the situations Sammie was putting herself in which I can’t remember a book ever doing to me! I was literally squirming in my seat, ready for something terrible to happen and for her to be discovered intruding in these spaces to which she has no right to be.
There were several things that I especially loved about this novel. I loved the way the chapters transitioned from one another which also served as food for thought: there are so many ways to see the world. The way you believe someone perceives something/experiences the world may be completely off base from yourself. I also loved the complexity of the relationship with Samson. I was wondering continually if Samson was autistic as there were many things pointing to that from my experience with friends and family yet he is never given any sort of assistance on that front. He’s just viewed as being difficult. I wish this could have been expanded upon a bit because it’s interesting but also I know it is a tale as old as time. So many autistic people are viewed this way their entire lives until one day seeking the help and answers for themselves to understand their own biology.

Overall this book left me with so many questions and thoughts and also made me want to never touch alcohol again... which is saying something as I love a good beer. I greatly look forward to Kristen’s next book!