It’s fairly easy to reach for facile metaphors to describe Toby Barlow’s truly exceptional novel, Sharp Teeth. The book sank its teeth into me and never let go, it had me howling at the moon, etc.
But that would cheapen this super-tight, violent, and alarmingly nuanced first novel. Barlow never goes for the easy or the cliche, in what would seem fertile ground for such gimmicks: a rival-gang-werewolf-love-story in modern day Los Angeles. Instead Sharp Teeth is defiant in its originality, all the way down to its free verse, epic poem conceit.
Like the city it (in part) depicts, Sharp Teeth is a book of contradictions. Tender affection, explosive violence. Animal brutality and touching humanity. Language that was clearly painstakingly crafted and edited, but (like all great writing) seemingly effortless in execution.
I read a lot, and this is the most unique book I’ve read in awhile. It kept me up late, which these days is the highest compliment I can pay an author. While not for the squeamish, it is destined to build a pack of rabid fans. (see? I couldn’t resist!)
Sharp Teeth has gotten a lot of attention around the web, but I would strongly recommend a few links in particular.
- Toby Barlow himself writes about the novel in HuffPo:
I certainly didn’t write my book to get published. In fact, I seriously handicapped my chances by writing my novel in free verse. Not really a “marketable proposition.” Yes, it was a love story, and yes it involved dogs (and who doesn’t love dogs?) But they were blood-thirsty werewolf-ish dogs who played cards, busted up crystal meth labs, and every so often ate people alive. Not exactly Benji. Not exactly My Dog Skip.
- Jeff Vandermeer interviews Barlow (in verse, of course) for Amazon’s Omnivoracious
- Rick Kleffel’s interview by for The Agony Column with Barlow’s editor, Jennifer Barth (mp3 link) [this is actually what prompted me to buy the book]
- And The Agony Column interview with Barlow himself (mp3 link)
