On the surface, Alex, Suzette, and Hanna are the perfect
family. However, something sinister lurks beneath the
surface of their seemingly perfect home. Suzette knows
something is wrong with their seven-year-old daughter,
Hanna, but will Alex accept it? Or will he blame Suzette
for failing to parent Hanna better?
BABY TEETH alternates viewpoints as we see the story
unfold from the eyes of both Hanna and Suzette. I won't
lie- despite having a career of many years working with
children with behavioral issues, I had to put BABY TEETH
down on several occasions just to get control of my own
emotions. BABY TEETH is both gut-wrenching and
emotionally charged as the situation starts to spiral out
of control. I'm still not sure if BABY TEETH is more
fitting with the horror genre than the likes of books
such as WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN.
Readers who are sensitive to abuse issues may have
difficulty with reading BABY TEETH. The abuse isn't on
the parents' part, however, as Hanna crafts some of the
most diabolical schemes one can ever imagine. It's hard
to remember that she's only seven years old at times due
to the depth of her anger and complexity of her scheming
but then Zoje Stage will expertly remind us just how
young Hanna is.
BABY TEETH is a chilling story. It will make
many flinch at the abusive and manipulative scenes
orchestrated by Hanna. It's not an easy read, but it's one
that will perhaps open some eyes to what a family living
with a violent child experiences. BABY TEETH is Zoje
Stage's first novel and I look forward to seeing what she
has in store for us next.
Afflicted with a chronic debilitating condition, Suzette
Jensen knew having children would wreak havoc on her
already fragile body. Nevertheless, she brought Hanna
into the world, pleased and proud to start a family with
her husband Alex. Estranged from her own mother, Suzette
is determined to raise her beautiful daughter with the
love, care, and support she was denied.
But Hanna proves to be a difficult child. Now seven-
years-old, she has yet to utter a word, despite being
able to read and write. Defiant and anti-social, she
refuses to behave in kindergarten classes, forcing
Suzette to homeschool her. Resentful of her mother’s
rules and attentions, Hanna lashes out in anger, becoming
more aggressive every day. The only time Hanna is truly
happy is when she’s with her father. To Alex, she’s
willful and precocious but otherwise the perfect little
girl, doing what she’s told.
Suzette knows her clever and manipulative daughter
doesn’t love her. She can see the hatred and jealousy in
her eyes. And as Hanna’s subtle acts of cruelty threaten
to tear her and Alex apart, Suzette fears her very life
may be in grave danger…
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