literatehedgehog's review against another edition
3.0
I do like books with a rotating cast of voices, perspectives shifting while the plot rolls on. The key part of this structure is its vivid, complex characters, with recognizably different voices and unexpected ranges of emotion and history. For the most part of this book, these characters are cruel to each other, their spouses, themselves, and often also their children (if not by outright action, then through indirect or unintentional means). Somehow, Fierro makes you care about why these people are so messed up and even hope that they figure their business out.
But goddamn I would not want to be friends with anyone like them on earth.
But goddamn I would not want to be friends with anyone like them on earth.
kevinclouther's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the strongest, most honest examinations of parenting I've read in contemporary fiction. It's also one of the bravest, as CUTTING TEETH doesn’t shy from thirty-something Brooklyn stereotypes: She offers, among a large cast of characters, a lesbian couple with twins, stay-at-home father with ambitious Asian wife, and paranoid writer obsessed with a mom blog. Everyone is wealthy and well educated or at least well spoken. Nobody is particularly contented with life with children. Fierro’s success lies in her ability not only to humanize these characters but also to render their interactions during a short summer retreat on Long Island startling.
melissakuzma's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the premise of this book was about and thought it was really well written, but I just HATED everyone in it. If there had been any likable characters this could have easily been 4 or more stars. It reminded me of Amy Sohn (who I love). And usually I hate ambiguous endings but this one was pretty brilliant.
margjar's review against another edition
1.0
Not worth reading. The story has some mistakes, the author has two characters interact while one is out on a boat and not in the house. Apparently this really bothers me.
bklyn76's review against another edition
4.0
well written but often uncomfortable to read, maybe b/c it's about a mommy group in my current neighborhood and the characters are all a bit off yet so "real". ;)
wildreaderkim's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
robmingione's review against another edition
3.0
A good, character-driven drama. A little hard to relate to, as I'm not a parent, but definitely an entertaining novel.
irurian's review against another edition
1.0
No idea why everyone was recommending this one. Every single character is a whiny and irredeemable jerk, with the exception of Tenzin, who seems like a stereotype.
lisaolisa's review against another edition
1.0
Holy Hell I hated everyone in this book, children included, and everything they did or that happened to them.