Yes, at the urging of Andi at Estella’s Revenge I’m attempting to read more of my own damn books, and this one has been sitting on my shelf for far too long. I mean who hasn’t read White Teeth by Zadie Smith by now? And yes, it was just as great as I thought it would be. The cultural melting pot of London and all that. But, I am a Zadie Smith fan.
The one thing that really struck me about White Teeth is that it is just as relevant today as it was 16 years ago when it was first published. That makes it kind of good and kind of bad. Smith hit on some vital points of race and culture, but unfortunately it looks like we haven’t moved that far forward in 16 years.
Who would like this book? If you haven’t read White Teeth by now, what are you waiting for? On Beauty remains my favorite of Smith’s works, but I really enjoyed White Teeth. And from here I’m going to happily move on to NW. But White Teeth remains a great London novel, along with Capital (review) and Brick Lane.
52 books or bust 
Still her best, for me.
I loved White Teeth but haven’t read anything by her since. I have On Beauty and The Autograph Man though.
The Autograph Man is short stories, isn’t it?
I’m not even sure!
I also have had this book for years. It’s good to hear you liked it. I will get to it someday…
I would also like to read On Beauty.
I loved On Beauty, but I’m a sucker for a campus novel.
It took me so long to get to White Teeth and I’ll be honest, it wasn’t my favourite. No doubt Smith can write but there was something missing for me with this book. I’ve been toying with the idea of reading another one of her books – maybe NW – but so far haven’t been brave enough to do it.
Give On Beauty a try. I really think you’ll like it.
Oh yes, I remember White Teeth. It blew me away how Zadie Smith can write! I must try another of hers. I’m curious about her new one coming out this fall — Swing Time. Where Zadie goes, I go …
I don’t know much about Swing Time but you know I’m going to read it.
This is the only book of Smith’s I’ve read, but I really enjoyed the writing! I’ll have to pick up On Beauty as some point too 🙂