🍭🍬 Baby Teeth 🍬🍭 (2018) - Book Review

MY REVIEW

Hardcover: 320 pages

Publisher: St. Martin's Press (July 17, 2018)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1250170753
ISBN-13: 978-1250170750

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“MEET HANNA: Seven-year-old Hanna is a sweet-but-silent angel in the eyes of her adoring father Alex. He’s the only person who understands her. But her mother Suzette stands in her way, and she’ll try any trick she can think of to get rid of her. Ideally for good.

MEET SUZETTE: Suzette loves her daughter, but after years of expulsions and strained home schooling, her precarious health and sanity are weakening day by day. She’s also becoming increasingly frightened by Hanna’s little games, while her husband Alex remains blind to the failing family dynamics. Soon, Suzette starts to fear that maybe their supposedly innocent baby girl may have a truly sinister agenda.

A battle of wills between mother and daughter reveals the frailty and falsehood of familial bonds in award-winning playwright and filmmaker Zoje Stage’s tense novel of psychological suspense, Baby Teeth.”

["Baby Teeth" - Zoje Stage]

“Sweetness Can Be Deceptive” – I will say that after reading this book, that was an excellent tag line and the writer does an excellent job of presenting that concept.

Also, the publisher (St. Martin's Press), did an interesting “marketing campaign”:

Admittedly, this book was outside my preferred genre; however I received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from the publisher – St. Martin’s Press – in exchange for an honest review. So, I decided to challenge myself in reading it. It was a quick and fairly easy read for the most part.

For the record, I don’t like the creepy/horror story genre, worse when it involves creepy kids or psycho kids (think Damien from the Omen). That subject will always give me the chills. Killer clowns is a close second (no, none of those in this book).

Given that background, there might be potential “triggers” for some readers:

** Self-Harm

** Strong Language

** Sexual Overtones

** Mental Illness

** Chronic Illness

** Potential child abuse

** Strong language (I believe this should be a “warning” on the book or inside the main covers – not everyone enjoys certain words – not a prude, but think there should be a warning for those who might be offended by such language)

The story is told (in third person) from two points of view (the major characters):

** Suzette (mom)

** Hanna (daughter)

The only other major character in this book is the husband/father Alex. Though that would be an interesting book (follow up idea for the writer) – the story from the father’s perspective. What was he thinking? What is his side of the story?

Before I begin the review, I am not categorizing this as a spoiler, because I feel it is an essential part of the review …

As Alex (dad) and mom (Suzette) sometimes speak Swedish, I would have preferred the author had placed a Swedish/English dictionary in either the beginning or the end of the book so I knew what was being said between the two. After looking it up a few times, I just gave up.

With that out of the way …

As the book begins, seven (7) year old Hanna is a smart (near brilliant) but non-verbal child. There is no known medical reason for this child to be non-verbal. It is stated that as a little girl she tried to talk, but it didn’t make any sense. Even though she can write out the words she is thinking (even though she knows Swedish, English, and French) – she refuses to communicate either verbally or written.

Hanna also seems to have a “mean side” to her – to everyone, but her father.

Suzette, due to Hanna’s behavior and non-verbalizing, has had to home-school her daughter and is a stay-at-home mom with her own chronic illness to deal with. Hanna despises school, and not only harbors evil thoughts against not only her mother, but other children as well.

Dad (Alex) works at a design firm and he ADORES Hanna, she adores him as well. She adores her father so much so, that (view spoiler). This is quite apparent early on.

She thinks mommy wants to return her. She sees mommy’s good side as phony and believes the real side is “bad mommy” – Hanna hopes daddy will see this and get rid of mommy.

Alex doesn’t see Hanna in the same light as Suzette, referring to his beloved child as lilla gumman , or rather “little girl” in Swedish. Alex sees Suzette’s concerns more or less as complaining rather than signs there is something wrong. He refuses to see Hanna’s behavior has wrong.

It’s not that Hanna cannot talk – she refuses. This is where the issue is – why doesn’t she want to talk. However that changes when Hanna adopts a “wicked” imaginary playmate “Marie-Anne” (a witch) and “talks” to mommy as Marie-Anne. Of course Hanna denies the incident to her father.

Suzette is concerned – she doesn’t know if she heard it right or should even tell Alex. She does, but he doesn’t seemingly believe her. He seems to think Hanna is bored and needs something to challenge herself. Suzette worries her husband has lost faith in her parenting abilities and has doubts that she is a good mother and wonders if being a mom is such a good idea. Suzette points out that Hanna prefers Alex, which he fails to see, despite Hanna being expelled from school for her behavior. As Suzette tries to repeatedly point out – Hanna is a manipulator. Only Suzette sees the written bad words, hears the snarling/barking, and hears the talking. All Alex sees is the smiles Hanna gives him, the hugs for him, and snuggles. Suzette points out that Hanna is sweet for him.

Suzette runs through the “too much/not enough” of the parenting categories: organic foods, discipline, school, languages.

As the reader learns – Hanna has developed an unexplained jealousy towards her mother. This is evident when she observes her parents intimacy hearing their grunts and groans. Hanna views it as a secret adult language and is jealous to not be included in it. She is almost hoping that her daddy is trying to kill her mommy.

Suzette takes Hanna to another school where Hanna starts barking and snarling. Instead of the principal being afraid – she offers to help Suzette by recommending a different school (Tisdale).

Suzette feels as though Hanna is trying to torture her. (view spoiler).

Hanna shows her mom the “creepy” project for her – and confirms Suzette’s fears – Hanna wants to (view spoiler).

Despite Hanna taking a photo of her naked mother and doing creepy things with it, Alex refuses to see the bad side as bad. He reads his daughter’s favorite book to her.

The reader gets a small glimpse of the mother-daughter struggle during one of Hanna’s memories. From a child’s perspective the incident could be scary, yet from a parent’s perspective, it’s a child who is acting out because the child can’t/won’t communicate.

(view spoiler).

After the school appointment, Suzette has a disturbing issue with Hanna. (view spoiler).

Suzette calls the therapist (Beatrix). Beatrix suggests sexual abuse being a factor.

Even after Hanna cuts her mother’s hair – Alex seems to enjoy what Suzette makes of it. This displeases Hanna as she was hoping her daddy would see “bad, ugly mommy” and kick her out.

Alex still caters to his daughter, even bringing her a potato to make an “UnderSlumberBumbleBeast”, but doesn’t tell Suzette about it. This potato toy plays a crucial role later on. I honestly feel that what happened later is partly Alex’s fault as he should’ve told Suzette about it.

Suzette starts feeling worse with her illness but doesn’t know why.

With her daughter at school, Suzette cleans her daughter’s room and finds the potato. It resembles a voodoo doll making her skin crawl. She finds it disgusting. She leaves the thing in ruins and runs out of her daughter’s room.

After school, on the way to Beatrix’s, Hanna speaks again to her mother – this time as Marie-Anne and despite a death threat, Suzette doesn’t react the way Hanna thought she would.

Suzette (alone) speaks to Beatrix – she is afraid Alex will lose faith in her – he doesn’t see the savage dog or the other behaviors. It’s the caregiver curse.

Alex arrives after Suzette and Hanna. He is angry and defensive when discussing Hanna’s behavior. Suzette thinks about the potato, but fails to mention it.

At home, Hanna discovers the potato and is just inconsolable. Suzette learns that Alex gave Hanna the potato to make the UnderSlumberBumbleBeast from her favorite book. Suzette hadn’t meant to destroy her daughter’s toy. She berates herself as a good mommy would’ve known that.

[In my opinion, Alex should’ve discussed it with Suzette or at best warned her about – especially with what had been going on.]

The readers then learn that Hanna herself doesn’t understand why the words she thinks in her head stop at her mouth.

Alex wants Suzette to document what Marie-Anne is saying. Doesn’t believe he wouldn’t like it. Tells Suzette to quit being so afraid of her. Suzette asks him to give her the benefit of the doubt.

This time, Hanna’s acting out causes physical harm to a child when she is left alone with the boy. (view spoiler).

This time Alex is there to see his child expelled – he is in a rage. It is apparent that Hanna requires a level of supervision and therapy that Tisdale cannot provide while Alex is defending his daughter declaring that she is not violent. Suzette tries to point out Hanna’s manipulative behavior, which Alex refuses to see. Alex blames the school even saying she learned the behavior there, despite what his wife has been telling him.

Suzette is honest – if Alex cannot accept the idea of how Hanna acts, they cannot help her. He doesn’t want to believe she is a savage child.

Hanna decides to play an evil trick on mommy to get rid of her which causes daddy to rush home.

(view spoiler).

Alex rushes home to the scene. Wonders why it happened. Suzette tells him there is something wrong with Hanna (like she has been doing since the beginning of the novel). They call Beatrix who asses their safety. Suzette feels safe as long as Alex is there. Beatrix will see them on Monday. She does ask if there is an inciting incident – Suzette reveals the incident with the potato – destroying her daughter’s toy. Alex then realizes he’s been oblivious and half-aware. Hanna has been the one pushing the buttons.

Alex gently confronts Hanna about the incident and learns that Hanna hurt mommy because of the “toy”. He feels like Hanna is two different girls – but he attributes the naughty side to Marie-Anne. He wants Hanna to make her go away. Hanna quickly agrees.

Walpurgis (ironically Witches Night) is fast approaching, so it seems appropriate in which to purge Marie-Anne (the witch). However that troubles Suzette as the Swedish tradition involves a bonfire. “Walpurgis bonfires are part of a Swedish tradition dating back to the early 18th century.” (Wikipedia). Alex wants sweet Hanna back and hopes that Marie-Anne was his daughter’s way of trying to communicate to them – an identity that allowed herself to communicate, albeit a naughty one. Suzette remembers a time Hanna smiled and was happy.

Hanna takes her mother up on her offer to draw a more life-like Marie-Anne to throw it into the fire.

As Alex prepares for the Walpurgis celebration, Suzette is a bit disturbed by her daughter’s slavish devotion. Suzette worries that Alex’s fears and confusion have been eased and that he believes in Hanna’s remorse.

The Walpurgis celebration begins – singing in Swedish (this is another part where I wished I knew exactly what was being said so I could appreciate it more). Suzette has a slight accident and Hanna uses that to her advantage in trying to get rid of mommy.

HUGE spoiler: (view spoiler).

Alex (still) can’t believe his daughter would do what she did and wants to know what is wrong with her.

The family heads to an Urgent Care after the accident. Suzette suffers second (2nd) degree burns and Hanna’s wrist is only sprained. The doctor treating Hanna finds it too convenient that she can’t talk and tell her side – Alex is defensive – he isn’t an abuser. The doctor treating Suzette asks about abuse and tells her that she is safe there. Suzette provides the woman with the shocking answer – it isn’t who the doctor suspects.

The family gets through until the appointment with Beatrix. Alex and Suzette cannot hide what has happened. Suzette basically states that Hanna tried to kill her.

Beatrix talks with Hanna, who indicates (through a drawing) everything is mommy’s fault. She really wants mommy dead because she is a witch. Hanna, thinking Beatrix is helping her, is quite eager to communicate and pleased that the woman has figured it all out.

Beatrix gives Alex and Suzette the only solution – Hanna cannot remain in the household. Behavior goes far past mother/daughter and caregiver/child resentment or jealousy.

Beatrix finds a place for Hanna where she can get therapy and education; she will also have one-on-one supervision. Alex is still not convinced until Beatrix points out Hanna’s lack of remorse and calculated violence. Suzette is in danger.

His guilt comes to him – he shouldn’t have doubted Suzette, couldn’t believe his daughter would be capable of this. Suzette wonders if she herself isn’t the problem after all.

Hanna is shocked when mommy has an idea (a good one no less) – make a better UnderSlumberBumbleBeast who she names Skog (another Swedish term).

Suzette and Alex take Hanna for a drive. Hanna soon learns it is another school. But, it isn’t an ordinary school as Hanna learns. (view spoiler).

Suzette and Alex are managing. They discover why Suzette was feeling worse – a broken capsule in the flour – sabotaged by Hanna. They get a call from the school.

(view spoiler)

Hanna wants to come home. They know she isn’t quite ready. Her assessment is a “mixed bag” – she’s capable of emotional, but has a skewed moral compass, high IQ, but impatient.

I don’t know if at this point the writer wants the reader to see Suzette’s long-suffering attitude or a selfish mother – but Suzette explodes at the thought of even visiting her child, let alone having her home. Suzette then urges Alex to let Hanna go.

Hanna then begs for her father’s attention. (view spoiler)The reader sees him dropping his mask – was he in denial, but saw everything all along? Did he really believe her or Suzette? Is he relenting because he has lost his daughter, and doesn’t want to lose Suzette? This is where Alex’s story might be a good follow up for a sequel.

Hanna is inconsolable as she begs (view spoiler). Hanna, as the call ends, suspects this was mommy’s plan all along.

Alex and Suzette agree that Hanna belongs there.

The book ends with Hanna and Skog talking – they can’t let mommy win, have to save daddy. The reader is left wondering …

The author was asked about a sequel. Ms. Stage responded by stating that it’s left up to the reader to decide what will happen in the future. I would highly encourage Ms. Stage to write a book from Alex’s point to complete this tale.

How did Alex not witness a lack of affection between Hanna and her mom? Why did Hanna hug him and giggle for him, but not her mother? I found Alex a bit condescending to Suzette with regard to Hanna’s behavior. I half expected him to say that Suzette was making it up – so his side of the story would be interesting

I gave the book three (3) stars. It lost stars based on the lack of an explanation for why Hanna was the way she was (even at the end there was no diagnosis) and; potential to involve more of the family (grandparents); and perhaps legal authorities.

When did Hanna really turn vicious on her mom? It also sounded like Suzette was suffering from some post-partum depression which might’ve explained what was going on.

Did Suzette really want kids or if Hanna was unplanned ? Did Hanna ever really LOVE her mother? There were things she preferred that mommy did better, but never seemed to have an attachment or fondness for her mother.

Even what the writer established fails to provide the necessary justification in why Hanna is so cruel to her mother. I will admit, some of Suzette’s language towards her daughter when she acts out is quite questionable, though somewhat understandable. Still, I wonder if Suzette had reacted differently would Hanna have ended up the way she did.

Also, did no one else see this behavior or her interaction with her mother? There were a few incidents, that in my opinion, the police should’ve been called – yet nothing was referenced. Wouldn’t they have seen the behavior? Didn’t the staff at the Urgent Care think to call the police to “check out the stories” – even if it would be misdirected at Alex?

The only parental relationship explored was Suzette and her mother (after her father died); however we have no way of knowing what Alex’s relationship with his parents was like. We know they are alive, but seemingly haven’t visited in a while. Do they know what Hanna is like now? Would they see it from Suzette’s view or Alex’s?

The writer, while this is her first outing, missed a few spots in hitting the mark. 

2 ⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Zoje Stage is a writer and former filmmaker. She was a 2008 Fellow in Screenwriting from the New York Foundation for the Arts and a 2012 Emerging Storytellers Fellow from the Independent Filmmaker Project. She lives in Pittsburgh, PA. Baby Teeth is her first novel.

Zoje = ZOH-yuh (rhymes with "glad to KNOW ya")
Stage = It's not a trick, it's just like the stage you perform on.