The scrambled, heterogeneous sprawl of mixedrace and immigrant family life in gritty london nearly overflows the bounds of this stunning, polymathic debut novel by 23yearold british writer smith. Join us for our second book club meeting for white teeth by zadie smith. Its an astonishingly assured debut, funny and serious, and the voice has real writerly idiosyncrasy. James naughtie talks to zadie smith about the impact of her novel white teeth. Bookbars events and marketing manager who is posting this very event. Check in with the hostess to see where were sitting. Do not underestimate the power of the subconscious mind. What commonalities emerge across the moments in the book where teeth come up. Kate mulgrew is one of my husbands favorite actresses, not because of her theatre or stage accomplishments, but for what is perhaps her best known role that of captain janeway, in the television show star trek voyager. White teeth has generated enormous interest within the publishing world, in part because it is an unusually assured first novel, produced by a writer who is still very young. Our 23 hour meetings are primarily a social gathering with a mere 10 minute discussion. White teeth study guide from litcharts the creators of. Send a message if you have any trouble finding the group.
Zadie smiths dazzling first novel plays out its bounding, vibrant course in a jamaican hair salon in north london, an indian restaurant in leicester square, an irish poolroom turned immigrant cafe, a liberal public school, a sleek science institute. On the second wednesday of the month, bookbar hosts a bookbar bookclub from 7pm 9pm. Stuck for something to say when dinner party talk turns to zadie smith. Archieworkingclass, ordinary, a failed marriage under his beltis calling it quits, the deciding factor being the flip of a 20pence coin. The best study guide to white teeth on the planet, from the creators of sparknotes. White teeth generated enormous interest within the publishing world, in part because it is an unusually assured first novel, produced by a writer who is still very young. What aspects of white teeth in terms of either style or contentstrike you as most unusual in a debut novel. White teeth by zadie smith book club discussion questions. At the bottom of the page you will also find useful links, all in one place. This 83page guide for white teeth by zadie smith includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 20 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. The good news is that, like most new years resolutions, his suicide is a failure. The motif of teeth throughout the book ties into the theme of roots, but there is. Archie strength and flaw is his naivete and innocence and hes remarkably color blind, so much so, he cant pick up hints from his boss about his coworkers discomfort regarding his black wife. A thrilling debut novel about how far well go to protect.
Zadie smiths dazzling debut caught critics grasping for comparisons and deciding on everyone from charles dickens to salman rushdie to john irving and martin amis. At the center of this invigorating novel are two unlikely friends, archie jones and samad. Jun 12, 2001 the questions and author biography that follow are intended to enhance your groups discussion of zadie smiths white teeth, a funny, generous, bighearted novel dealingamong many other thingswith friendship, love, war, three cultures, three families over three generations, and the tricky way the past has of coming back and biting you on the ankle. The years best book club reads some of these novels will touch your heart. Zadie smith is without a doubt quite talented, but white teeth illustrates that she is obsessed with the clicking sound that her keys make on her computer. White teeth has generated enormous interest within the publishing world, in part because it is an unusually assured first novel, produced by a. This month he is looking at zadie smiths white teeth. If youre ready to start a book club, heres 40 of the best book club questions, for fiction. Born with teeth by kate mulgrew is a 2015 little brown and company publication. Set against londons racial and cultural tapestry, venturing across the former empires past as it barrels toward the future, white teeth is an international bestseller now available in paperback. White teeth is zadie smiths acclaimed debut novel, first published. The motif of teeth throughout the book ties into the theme of roots, but there is only one reference specifically to white teeth, which is the old man telling the kids how he used to spot black men in the congo at night by their teeth and kill them. Her lack of white teeth, at least the top row, ironically, is a catalyst that pushes her to become more white marrying one, socializing with them.
White teeth by zadie smith the questions and author biography that follow are intended to enhance your groups discussion of zadie smiths white teeth, a funny, generous, bighearted novel dealingamong many other thingswith friendship, love, war, three cultures, three families over three generations, and the tricky way the past has of coming back and biting you on the ankle. Book discussion schedule the great american read pbs. The questions and author biography that follow are intended to enhance your groups discussion. Thoughts and discussion on white te eth by zadie smith.
Please be aware that this discussion guide may contain spoilers. How do teeth, and especially white teeth, relate to the major themes of the novel. To ask other readers questions about white teeth, please sign up. Hate to start things off with a downer, folks, but white teeth opens with archie jones trying to commit suicide in his car. But the truth is that zadie smiths voice is remarkably, fluently, and altogether wonderfully her own. Aug 21, 2017 ive been in a lot of book clubs, and i know its not always easy to get a conversation going on a book. White teeth by zadie smith discussion guide penguin. May 20, 2019 welcome to our second meetup for manic monday book club. White teeth also won two emmas bt ethnic and multicultural media awards for best book novel and best female media newcomer, and was shortlisted for the mail on sundayjohn llewellyn rhys prize, orange prize for fiction, and authors club first novel award. White teeth by zadie smith, first edition abebooks. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Zadie smith on new years morning, 1975, archie jones sits in his car on a london road and waits for the exhaust fumes to fill his cavalier musketeer station wagon.
Epic and intimate, hilarious and poignant, white teeth is the story of two north london familiesone headed by archie, the other by archies best friend, a muslim bengali named samad iqbal. While a student, she began a manuscript for the novel that would become white teeth, which was published in 2000 and received the guardian first book award, the james tait black memorial prize, the whitbread first novel award, and the commonwealth writers prize. Praise for white teeth zadie smiths fizzing first novel is about how we all got herefrom the caribbean, from the indian subcontinent, from thirteenth place in a longago olympic bicycle raceand about what here turned out to be. How is white teeth different from other first novels you. Please feel free to join even if you dont finish the book. As a member or leader of a book club, you are likely to be reading books on a wide variety of topics, both fiction and nonfiction. Dec 14, 2017 in one of my past book clubs, we literally only read books that included discussion questions at the end of the book because we wanted to be certain wed have a meaningful discussion.
Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Use for debates, discussions, speaking, conversations, independent learning and more. And 30 years on, martin crimps dealing with clair has chilling resonance. The questions and author biography that follow are intended to enhance your groups discussion of zadie smiths white teeth, a funny, generous, bighearted novel dealingamong many other thingswith friendship, love, war, three cultures, three families over three generations, and the tricky way the past has of coming back and. White teeth has generated enormous interest within the publishing world, in part because it is an unusually assured. What aspects of white teethin terms of either style or contentstrike. Book clubs are all about the discussion afterwards, right. Rules to keep your book club running and what to read in 2019.
Zadie smith the continuum contemporaries series is designed as a source of ideas and inspiration for members of book clubs and literature students at school, college and university. On new years day, 1975, alfred archibald jones archie attempts to gas himself to death in his car. What does their time in germany have to do with the overall plot of the novel. The novel won numerous awards, including time magazines 2005 list of 100 best englishlanguage novels since 1923. White teeth by zadie smith penguin random house audio. General book club questions for study and discussion. White teeth is a complex and multilayered novel, with a wide cast of characters and a twisting plot ranging over many years and several continents. Book club discussion questions this page gives you a full list of all the books featured on this site, split between fiction and non fiction. Which characters are completely irreligoius in the book.
Ive found that the best book club discussion questions are ones that are openended and that get people to share their personal opinions. If youre reading a book about an idea or issue, bring in a person who can add a blast of inside knowledge to the discussion. White teeth has generated enormous interest within the publishing world. The questions and author biography that follow are intended to enhance your groups discussion of zadie smiths white teeth, a funny, generous, bighearted novel dealingamong many other thingswith friendship, love, war, three cultures, three families over three generations, and the tricky way the past has of coming back and biting you on the ankle. White teeth revels in the ecstatic hodgepodge of modern life. If you re studying this novel, reading it for your book club, or if you simply want to know more about it, you ll find this.
White teeth study guide contains a biography of zadie smith, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. White teeth zadie smith, 2000 knopf doubleday 464 pp. Rhys prize, orange prize for fiction, and authors club first novel award. White teeth at the center of this invigorating and hilarious novel are two unlikely friends, archie jones and samad iqbal, hapless veterans of world war ii. November book club white teeth by zadie smith meetup. We have tons of study questions for you here, all completely free. White teeth revels in the ecstatic hodgepodge of modern life, flirting with disaster, confounding expectations, and embracing the comedy of daily existence. Topics about this book topics that mention this book. Nominated as one of americas bestloved novels by pbss the great american. For example, if youre reading monkey mind, daniel smiths memoir about anxiety, bringing in a meditation teacher to try some of the techniques smith suggests can add a new layer literary understanding, as well a bonus hit of groupwide calm. John mullan deconstructs a notable novel available in paperback. Every book page contains useful information for your book group including book club questions. Race is obviously a part of the book, but i didnt sit down to write a book about race. I think white teeth is a magnificent work of fiction filled with wit, satire, depth, and a cast of unforgettable characters.
Pick up your copy of the book as well as an inspire pro teeth whitening kit and then join us at the end of the month for a live reading, online discussion and teeth whitening session. White teeth questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on white teeth. This study guide consists of approximately 56 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of white teeth. No matter the genre, age, notoriety, or length of the book of the moment, book club questions can kickstart or enhance your group discussion. In his new spirit of enthusiasm, archie joins an end of the world party at a commune. White teeth grpl book club book club kit grand rapids. Im looking to start a conversation on the book and hear more opinions relating to some of the questions i had. The butcher, mo husseinishmael, saves archie, and for the first time in his life, he feels worthwhile.
She is a fellow of the royal society of literature and has twice been listed as one of grantas 20 best young british novelists. From the baochi book collection zadie smiths white teeth was published in 2000 and received critical acclaim. It was a struggle for all of us to finish in the space of one month. Theyre like having inclass notes for every discussion. Zadie smiths white teeth bounds on to the stage leaving some of the novels subtleties behind. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. A handy guide to keeping your book club running, along with excellent book club books for 2019. The novel is centred around britains relationships with people from formerly colonised countries in africa, asia, and the caribbean. My current book club group is much more casual, but perhaps too much so.
Thoughts and discussion on white teeth by zadie smith. In partnership with ant colony press, each month we will introduce a new author and title. White teeth is a 2000 novel by the british author zadie smith. I recently finished reading white teeth by zadie smith and really enjoyed it. Its new years day in 1975, and archie jones has decided hes had enough. On new years morning, 1975, archie jones sits in his car on a london road and waits for the exhaust fumes to fill his cavalier musketeer station wagon. White teeth is set mainly in willesden, north london. In an interview, smith says of white teeth, i wasnt trying to write about race.
Read white teeth psychological thriller book by zadie smith. It focuses on the later lives of two wartime friendsthe bangladeshi samad iqbal and the englishman archie jonesand their families in london. There isnt much of a plot here, the book being swept along by a series of sometimes hilarious, ofttimes clever, occasionally tedious riffs on everything from race relations through eugenics and on to religion, but 25yearold smith is a marvelously talented writer with a wonderful ear for dialogue. Pals since they served together in world war ii, archie and samad are a decidedly unlikely pair. What aspects of white teeth in terms of either style or contentstrike. Dec 27, 2019 read white teeth psychological thriller book by zadie smith. Zadie was elected a fellow of the royal society of literature in 2002, and was listed as one of grantas 20 best young british novelists in 2003 and again in 20. Finefine dust jacket has a small coffee spot back cover. How is white teeth different from other first novels you have read. Zadie smith is the author of the novels white teeth, the autograph man, on beauty, nw, and swing time, as well as two collections of essays, changing my mind and feel free. At 448 pages, white teeth is not the longest book ive ever read, but it is the only book that i have ever experienced that is beautiful, but packed with non essential information.
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