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theoretically_reading's review
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bookishsamsch's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Those looking to read this should take the title as a warning that this is a book that uses teeth as a metaphor in every chapter. As someone with a lifelong phobia of dentists, I found this very uncomfortable and had to skip through some of the paragraphs.
None of the characters are particularly likeable, especially the sister who aggravated me so much I felt like throwing the book into the sea!
It's an interesting observation on family relationships (aside from the fact she fancied her, albeit distant, cousin- ick) and I think I'd have probably enjoyed it more without all the teeth. I found the protaganist, Ellis, a bit of a pushover and wished she'd stick up for herself a bit more.
Thanks to the publisher for my proof copy.
None of the characters are particularly likeable, especially the sister who aggravated me so much I felt like throwing the book into the sea!
It's an interesting observation on family relationships (aside from the fact she fancied her, albeit distant, cousin- ick) and I think I'd have probably enjoyed it more without all the teeth. I found the protaganist, Ellis, a bit of a pushover and wished she'd stick up for herself a bit more.
Thanks to the publisher for my proof copy.
katykelly's review
4.0
Teeth as a metaphor for life: family and relationship drama and a lesson in finding your self through dentistry.
What a mess Ellis is in - decades-long genetic-lottery hell with painful teeth and constant procedures isn't enough. She doesn't really enjoy her job (and HR aren't sympathetic over her regular dentist appointments). But now, her world is rocked when her boyfriend of almost her entire adult life tells her he's fallen for a colleague and wants her to move out of his house.
With unexplained tooth pain that the dentists say isn't real, Ellis has to suffer the 'pain' of moving back into her mum's house, where her permanently-angry sister is also staying, and have to face up to the life she's made for herself (while Facebook stalking her ex's new woman and trying to get him to accept he owes her money for their flat).
If you're the squirmy sort when it comes to tooth problems, you might end up having bad dreams reading this. There's a lot of 'metaphor for life' around Ellis's long-standing tooth problems, and it becomes so desperate she might even consider having her mum's new, younger dentist boyfriend take a look. Oh and she tells HR that it's not her that's been dumped but her sister, much better if it's going to be spread round the office.... hmm.
Watching the spiral of Ellis's life in every direction and how she progresses towards some sort of control and peace hopefully makes for an entertaining family drama. Ellis feels quite young, inexperienced and like so many of us in our twenties, when life becomes complicated and we really are forced to grow up.
I liked the focus on teeth as the basis of Ellis's problems and as the core of 'her', and thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook version which was well narrated and differentiated for the characters.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample audio copy.
What a mess Ellis is in - decades-long genetic-lottery hell with painful teeth and constant procedures isn't enough. She doesn't really enjoy her job (and HR aren't sympathetic over her regular dentist appointments). But now, her world is rocked when her boyfriend of almost her entire adult life tells her he's fallen for a colleague and wants her to move out of his house.
With unexplained tooth pain that the dentists say isn't real, Ellis has to suffer the 'pain' of moving back into her mum's house, where her permanently-angry sister is also staying, and have to face up to the life she's made for herself (while Facebook stalking her ex's new woman and trying to get him to accept he owes her money for their flat).
If you're the squirmy sort when it comes to tooth problems, you might end up having bad dreams reading this. There's a lot of 'metaphor for life' around Ellis's long-standing tooth problems, and it becomes so desperate she might even consider having her mum's new, younger dentist boyfriend take a look. Oh and she tells HR that it's not her that's been dumped but her sister, much better if it's going to be spread round the office.... hmm.
Watching the spiral of Ellis's life in every direction and how she progresses towards some sort of control and peace hopefully makes for an entertaining family drama. Ellis feels quite young, inexperienced and like so many of us in our twenties, when life becomes complicated and we really are forced to grow up.
I liked the focus on teeth as the basis of Ellis's problems and as the core of 'her', and thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook version which was well narrated and differentiated for the characters.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample audio copy.
nic_readsbooks's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It’s not often you come across a book that uses teeth as a metaphor for life’s problems but here we have it and I have to be honest I’m not entirely sure on it. I appreciate the uniqueness and it is a clever idea but I found the obsession the character had with teeth a bit off-putting (probably because I am someone with a bit of dentist fear going on).
Weak Teeth tells the story of Ellie who is down on her luck - she’s been dumped, her job is at risk and she’s had to move back home with her mum. It’s a relatable story of someone who is really going through it and every time she thinks she has reached the bottom, something else happens. You can’t help but want to feel for her, we’ve all been there but I found her quite hard to feels sympathy for - some of the choices she makes just made it hard for me to root for her.
It is an entertaining read, the pacing is good, the writing is enjoyable - just didn’t love the main character.
I’ve heard great things about the audiobook for this one too so could be worth checking out in that format.
jbrys's review
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0