With Teeth by Kristen Arnett

With Teeth by Kristen Arnett #

Blurb: If she’s being honest, Sammie Lucas is scared of her son. Working from home in the close quarters of their Florida house, she lives with one wary eye peeled on Samson, a sullen, unknowable boy who resists her every attempt to bond with him. Uncertain in her own feelings about motherhood, she tries her best – driving, cleaning, cooking, prodding him to finish projects for school – while growing increasingly resentful of Monika, her confident but absent wife. As Samson grows from feral toddler to surly teenager, Sammie’s life begins to deteriorate into a mess of unruly behaviour, and her struggle to create a picture-perfect queer family unravels. When her son’s hostility finally spills over into physical aggression, Sammie must confront her role in the mess – and the possibility that it will never be clean again.

Notes: Picked this up on a whim in while returning a library book. The quotes on the cover mention funny and humour so I thought sounds ok. Not found it funny yet but am enjoying it and have sped through it so far. Find the main characters infuriating but that is a sign they are well written and observed.

You know how some days you just have a bog standard protein and 2 veg dinner from the bits you've got in the kitchen? Completely fine and did what you needed but hardly a gourmet experience? Well that's this book. Absolutely fine and enjoyable but also quite run of the mill.

=> https://www.littlebrown.co.uk/titles/kristen-arnett/with-teeth/9781472156518