Review: Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage

Title: Baby Teeth
Author: Zoje Stage
Pages: 304
Genre: Fiction, Thriller
Source: Free ARC from St. Martin’s Press

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Note: As stated under the Source (above), I received this book for free from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley. I pride myself on writing fair and honest reviews.

Review: This book reminded me a great deal of We Need to Talk About Kevinby Lionel Shriver. The premise is definitely similar: a mother who has postponed her career to be a stay-at-home mom is left dealing with a “difficult” child, while the father turns a blind eye to the dark side of his child. That is, until he can’t anymore.

As much I don’t like to write comparative reviews, I find it impossible to think about Baby Teethwithout thinking about We Need to Talk About Kevin. If you have read it, you likely found We Need to Talk About Kevindisturbing, maybe even deeply so. I’d say Baby Teethis more unsettling than disturbing. A rather light version, a version where different choices are made earlier on leading to rather different results.

It’s hard to say what is the most unsettling element of this book. Is it this devious child who reflects some of our worst fears, her thoughts of Suzette, whose motherly feelings wane as her fear of her child increases, or the father’s inability or unwillingness to see what was right before his eyes, denying his spouse support, and his child help, until it’s almost too late? All three and then some, I’d say.

Despite its similarities to We Need to Talk About Kevin, it stands on its own two feet, taking a different tack. I definitely enjoyed it. If you like dark, suspenseful, emotionally challenging books, Baby Teethis a great choice. If you’ve read We Need to Talk About Kevinby Lionel Shriver and enjoyed it, this book might be a good fit for you as well.

 

17 Replies to “Review: Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage”

  1. Great review Myndi! Sounds like you really enjoyed this creepy and no thank you it will keep me up at night read!💕Have an awesome Wednesday! Fall is here today but Friday we will be back up to 85! I wish summer would just leave already!!😂

    • Based on what I know of your reading tastes, it does not surprise me that you feel that way!

      Hope you had an amazing Wednesday yourself! And I’m sorry about the upcoming heat! I probably shouldn’t tell you we’re in the 60’s for the next week. What are they predicting for your winter?

      • Haha you know me so well!😊 We were in the 60s today too and it was awesome! Only Friday will be close to 90 or maybe higher! I haven’t heard too much about the winter yet but I’m sure it will include lots of snow and cold! 🤣🤪🤪🤪

    • Thanks! I suspect the subject matter might have something to do with those mixed reviews? I haven’t read them so that’s only a guess. Now I feel compelled to go check them out!

  2. Great review Myndi. I have not read We Need to Talk About Kevin, so can not compare it. I have heard this was a tough read, but you have made it sound really creepy. I have it on my TBR, but I might wait a bit before I read it.

    • It is definitely creepy, but not over the top creepy. I wouldn’t recommend We Need to Talk About Kevin to just anyone, but Baby Teeth is a lot milder.

  3. Great review Myndi! At times I wanted to shake some sense into the mom, she could’ve easily solved her issues with creepy daughter sooner, won’t say much to keep it spoiler free. Glad you enjoyed it, I also enjoyed it 🤗

    • That is always frustrating, when you’re thinking “just do A or B!!!” and the characters don’t do those things. But I’m glad it didn’t go the way of We Need to Talk About Kevin.

  4. Hey Myndi, I loved this review! I saw your name pop up just now in my notifications for liking, etc., and I came over to see what you were up to… then I thought I’d make it so I get notifications of your beautiful posts and I may show up as an unfollow until I enabled notifications. Hope that makes sense. Don’t want to miss your posts! ❤

    • Thanks! I haven’t, but I do think I have it in my TBR (a galley that I haven’t gotten to yet). Thanks for bringing it to my attention!

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