Zadie Smith

From the MAN BOOKER PRIZE- and WOMEN'S PRIZE-SHORTLISTED author of Swing Time, On Beauty and Grand Union 'BELIEVE THE HYPE' The Times 'The almost preposterous talent was clear from the first pages' Julian Barnes, Guardian 'Street-smart and learned, sassy and philosophical all at the same time' New York Times 'Outstanding' Sunday Telegraph The international bestseller and modern classic of multicultural Britain - an unforgettable portrait of London One of the most talked about debut novels of all time, White Teeth is a funny, generous, big-hearted novel, adored by critics and readers alike. Dealing - among many other things - with friendship, love, war, three cultures and three families over three generations, one brown mouse, and the tricky way the past has of coming back and biting you on the ankle, it is a life-affirming, riotous must-read of a book.

White Teeth

sina (she/her) 

Helen 

But as midnight inevitably came and went without the horsemen of the apocalypse making an appearance, Clara surprised herself by falling into a melancholy. For ridding oneself of faith is like boiling sea-water to retrieve the salt something is gained but something is lost. 

 "Men are like camels: there is barely one in a hundred that you would trust with your life.""

‘I’m as liberal as the next person,' complained Alsana, once they were alone. But why do they always have to be laughing and making a song-and-dance about everything? I cannot believe homosexuality is that much fun. Heterosexuality certainly is not.’

You must remember this, a kiss is still a kiss, 

As time goes by. - Herman Hupfeld, 'As Time Goes By' (1931 Song)

'Is it tea or is it coffee? "Tea,' said Joyce firmly. Fruit if possible.”

“Fruit not possible. Not even Earl Grey is possible. I come from the land of tea to this godawful country and then I can't afford a proper cup of it. P.G. Tips is possible and nothing else." 

Joyce winced. P.G. Tips, please, then. 'As you wish.’

Isabel 

You have picked up the wrong life in the cloakroom and you must return it. 

102 pages in and I’m still not a huge fan of this book, but this passage slapped me in the gut. 

amelia

“Can’t you see…the INTENTION? They weren’t slapping their salamis—spreading the white stuff—they were looking for something a little more PERMANENT.” 

“I can’t see the difference, frankly,” said Archie. “When you’re dead, you’re dead.” 

“Oh NO, Archibald, NO,” whispered Samad, melancholic. “You don’t believe that. You must live life with the full knowledge that your actions will REMAIN. We are creatures of consequence, Archibald,” he said, gesturing to the church walls. “They knew it. My great-grandfather knew it. Some day our children will know it.” 

White Teeth quotes

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