Sharp Teeth, by Toby Barlow
Sharp Teeth, by Toby Barlow, takes the werewolf myth to new heights.
It makes you question, "if there were werewolves, not just a single werewolf
or a couple, but lots and lots of werewolves, what would they do?" In the
novel, Toby Barlow believes that they would form packs like wild dogs, except
they wouldn't be dogs, they'd be men. Sometimes, they'd be strong, intelligent,
powerful men like, for example, lawyers. The most powerful individuals would
become the alpha dog of a werewolf pack, grow the pack's strength, bind it
together, and give it purpose. What sort of purpose? The same purpose any pack
of wild dogs, or better yet men would want, power.Sharp Teeth is truly a pleasure to read. It is a book about werewolves that roam Los Angeles and the drama, betrayal, love and loss that occurs among and between different packs. It also tells a love story about one werewolf who happens to fall in love with a dogcatcher. Mostly though, it's a story about identity, community and the things we do in order to feel like we belong somewhere, with someone. It's about all the things every book is ever about, but it looks at common themes from a fresh perspective, a werewolf's perspective. Normally I wouldn't be interested in a book about werewolves but this one was exceptional.
Reviewed by: Pamela Nicole Flores, grade 12
Comments