With Teeth

A Novel

By: Kristen Arnett

Narrated by: Kristen Sieh

NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE WASHINGTON POST, VOGUE, MARIE CLAIRE, READER'S DIGEST, AND GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

“A gripping read…Unabashedly queer, probing and unafraid…Exceedingly engaging.” –USA Today

“Sublimely weird, fluently paced, brazenly funny and gayer still, and it richly deserves to find readers.” –New York Times

From the author of the New York Times–bestselling sensation Mostly Dead Things: a surprising and moving story of two mothers, one difficult son, and the limitations of marriage, parenthood, and love

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 behavior, 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.

Blending the warmth and wit of Arnett’s breakout hit, Mostly Dead Things, with a candid take on queer family dynamics, With Teeth is a thought-provoking portrait of the delicate fabric of family—and the many ways it can be torn apart.

Wild ride

I was very intrigued, from the start. But the ending felt sudden and abrupt. I wanted more final action of understanding, but I guess the lack of understanding lends to the whole experience

Spoiler Alert!

I was really invested in the characters in this story but the ending fell flat! There were a lot of loose ends just left to the imagination.

Good not Great!

it was ok...the author was really descriptive but I felt like there were lots of roads to nowhere. The story has some good parts but lots of parts that didn't tie together.

Whoa~!

I just realized I never left a review for this book and it deserves one as it was one of the most original and compelling books I read in 2021. It's a character driven story that gives us a raw but honest glimpse into motherhood when it is not the picture perfect scenario and your longed for child is far from what you dreamed of. It's a 2 mommy family and the main character, Sammie, plays the role of primary caregiver. I thought Kristen Arnett really did a good job with the lesbian moms aspect of the story and her character development is so well done I felt like I knew these people. It's a very disturbing and clever story. I don't want to give anything away - read it. 4 stars!

I’m not sure

I want to say I liked this book or disliked it, but I’m not sure. There are pieces to the book that I loved and portions I didn’t like at all. The characters are interesting, but none of them are particularly likable and the ending is confusing.