White Teeth

by Zadie Smith
White Teeth cover
Good Books rating 3.58
Contemporary Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 627
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • Published: 2000-01-01
  • Formats: 3
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99 Hardback • £25.00

White Teeth is a comic family epic that weaves together the lives of three families—one Indian, one white, and one mixed—in North London and Oxford from World War II to the present. The novel explores themes of identity, culture, and belonging, offering a vivid portrayal of the immigrant experience and the complexities of modern British society. With sharp wit and a keen eye for detail, the story delves into the personal and political, creating a tapestry of interconnected lives that are both deeply personal and universally resonant. The author's unique voice and narrative style bring to life the struggles and triumphs of characters grappling with their heritage, love, and the ever-changing world around them. This is a story that celebrates diversity and challenges the notion of a monolithic British identity, making it a timeless and essential read.

Reviews
Bookishloom · 2025-01-09
amusing 3.75

The novel's sharp humor and absurdity make it stand out, though it may not appeal to everyone. The comedy is a key strength.

The reviewer highlights the novel's sharp humor and occasional absurdity as its standout features. They note that while the book might not be for everyone, its comedic elements are particularly effective. The reviewer appreciates the unique way Zadie Smith blends humor with serious themes, making the story both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Quick quotes

    White Teeth stands out for its sharp humor, though it might not appeal to everyone.

    Zadie Smith's comedy sometimes leans into the absurd, which is a key strength.

    The novel's unique blend of humor and serious themes makes it both entertaining and thought-provoking.

The Wallflower Digest · 2024-04-25
charming 3.00

A well-told, often funny exploration of immigrant life in London. The Dickensian flavor adds to its charm.

The reviewer praises the novel's Dickensian flavor and its humorous take on immigrant life in London. They find the story well-told and enjoyable, with a rich tapestry of characters and settings. The reviewer appreciates how the novel captures the complexities of multicultural life in a way that is both entertaining and insightful.

Quick quotes

    A well told, often funny, Dickensian flavour exploration of immigrant life in the melting pot of 1970s-1990s London.

    The novel's rich tapestry of characters and settings is a highlight.

    The story captures the complexities of multicultural life in an entertaining and insightful way.

The Guardian · 2020-07-21
engaging 4.00

Despite its flaws, the novel's vigour and invention make it a compelling read. The sharp humor and inventive storytelling are highlights.

The reviewer acknowledges that Zadie Smith's novel has its flaws, but they are overshadowed by the book's energy and creativity. The story's humor and unique narrative style are particularly praised, making it a memorable read. The reviewer appreciates how the novel captures the essence of multicultural London, even if some elements feel exaggerated.

Quick quotes

    Zadie Smith is the first to cringe at her story's excesses – but her novel's vigour and invention leave readers rightly undeterred.

    The novel's sharp humor and inventive storytelling are highlights.

    The story's energy and creativity overshadow its flaws.

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