Review of Teething Problems

[Fola Moni]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Teething Problems" by Mark Fletcher.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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How interesting would it be to read someone’s conscious thoughts as they deal with situations or go about their day? Would we look at them the same or different? Teething Problems by Mark Fletcher gives us an insight into this fascinating theory.

If he had to blame something, he might start with the baby teeth his mum had kept in a box. He was rifling through her things and found the box filled with old mementoes of him as a baby. He should have returned the teeth, but he kept one. Looking back, he must have questioned his motives for doing so. Then life happened when his whole world turned upside down with some unsettling news. He had to tell someone, and he knew Diana, his girlfriend, would understand how he felt. If only he hadn’t pulled the prank with the baby tooth, which set the whole train wreck of a day into motion. Why couldn’t she just understand it was a joke? Besides, he still needed to tell her his disastrous news. But he could not have anticipated how much worse his day would become.

The book’s delightful and humourous plot had me in stitches till the end. I loved it and finished it in one sitting. I instantly developed a rapport with the narrator and was immersed in the plot. I was cringing and laughing at the same time. Just when I thought the narrator’s antics couldn’t get worse, another unbelievable scene would unfold before my eyes. It made me realise that though we might look sane and normal in appearance, our conscious thoughts might say otherwise.

I also loved how the plot dealt with serious conflicting family relationships amidst the constant stream of humorous consciousness. Betrayal within the family can hurt and have grievous consequences, especially from a close family member like a mother. Sometimes it can leave people with unresolved trauma which can affect their emotional growth. The narrator’s discovery of his father's real identity and how he tried to process the information was painful to read.

I would gladly rate it 5 out of 5 stars. It was gritty, funny and cringeworthy at the same time. I spotted two errors, so I will say it was professionally well-edited. It is an adult book with profanity and sexually stimulating scenes. I would not recommend it to a younger/sensitive audience. Mature readers who enjoy humourous drama would adore this book.

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Teething Problems
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