Customer Reviews

The Tooth Fairy

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

A picture of author Graham Joyce adorns the rear flap of "The Tooth Fairy," a photograph of a middle aged British guy laughing it up. After reading this magical, phenomenal coming of age story, this photo shows Joyce exactly the way I pictured him. Only someone with a fantastic sense of humor could pen such a wondrous novel. What surprised me most were the blurbs on the back cover of the book, including one from fellow traveler in weirdness Jonathan Lethem. I must state this is one of the only times I wholeheartedly agree with tag lines on a book jacket, as Lethem states that it is time for America to discover Graham Joyce. I couldn't agree more since this is easily one of the best books I've had the pleasure to read this year. In fact, I read "The Tooth Fairy" immediately after Lethem's "Gun, With Occasional Music," which makes me a prime candidate for a one-way trip to the funny farm. Joyce's book falls completely within the bounds of bizarre fiction and is sure to entertain those who enjoy an offbeat read. But even if you don't necessarily like reading quirky stuff, Joyce's novel is still sure to amuse. It's that good.

"The Tooth Fairy" is a story about three British youths named Sam, Clive, and Terry growing up in Coventry, England. When we first meet this troublesome trio, they are wee lads barely out of the cradle. This is a book about the misadventures of these three boys, and the first event occurs at a local pond where young Terry loses two toes to a big pike. The pond is important in both a real and metaphorical sense, as it quickly becomes the place where the three boys hang out during the course of their childhood as well as a representation of their rapidly fading youth. As the story moves along, the boys grow up and suffer all of the trials and tribulations of youth. Clive is the smart one, sent to a special school for gifted students and allowed to sit for his exams ahead of his two friends. Terry is the athlete, a brawny kid who never seems to get a break in life. Sam is the main character of the story; a sort of misunderstood kid who is actually extremely intelligent but whom others think is slightly dense. Through Sam's eyes we see the fallout from a series of potentially harmful events, from two incidents of murder to vandalism to other illegal activities that kids sometimes get themselves involved in.

There is something else special about Sam, namely his association with a tooth fairy he once saw as a small child. This fairy is hardly a smiling waif prancing in the fields, but a rather brutish, androgynous creature who warns Sam about upcoming tragedies while simultaneously threatening to inflict harm on Sam's friends and family. Sam's mother worries about her son's odd behaviors, and sends him to a psychiatrist to straighten him out. The tooth fairy always returns, changing in appearance as Sam moves towards adulthood. If none of this seems particularly interesting or coherent, that's because it is hard to see where Joyce is going until well into the book. I read about half of the story before I knew exactly what I was reading and even then the story presents some difficulties concerning its character. It's not clear how to classify this book: is it a fairy tale? A coming of age story? A fantasy story? Horror? Humor? Well, it's all and none of these things at different times.

The cast of characters in "The Tooth Fairy" is an extraordinary collection of individuals who are interesting as stand alone types, but who create an explosive brew when mixed together. There are the boys, of course, who all have their own amusing peccadilloes. Terry's cousin Linda is an intriguing character as well, always standing in the background watching over the three to make sure they stay out of trouble (and failing miserably). The boys' parents are amusing in their own right, as is Skelton, the alcoholic Scottish shrink with whom Sam spends years discussing the tooth fairy without any concrete resolutions. Finally, there is Alice, a pretty girl who eventually attracts the attentions of Sam, Clive, and Terry. Joyce sculpts each of these characters with such depth that they seem like real people.

A word of warning: "The Tooth Fairy" is frank in its depictions of adolescent sexual escapades. Joyce pulls no punches when it comes to describing those slightly naughty activities young boys engage in, and once the Alice character arrives on the scene the libido factor soars off the charts. Some readers may find these situations slightly embarrassing or offensive, but don't let that stop you from dipping your beak into Joyce's homage to childhood. Really, you will like this engaging book from an author you've probably never heard of before. Besides, reading things off the beaten track provides a good boost to your state of mind if done in a proper manner.

Grotesque, beautiful, repulsive, compelling, hilarious, tragic, magical and very very erotic! Rarely have I read a book that provokes so many conflicting emotions. The angst of growing pains and awakening sexuality is very skillfully crafted and will, no doubt, strike a chord of recognition with many readers. The enigmatic character of the Tooth Fairy will haunt you long after the final page. A minor masterpiece.

A group of children coming of age together is nothing new, yet Graham Joyce somehow manages to not only make it feel fresh but different as well. In horror, the inevitable comparison for this type of story is Stephen King's "The Body" (filmed as Stand By Me), which is atypical King, but a great benchmark. "The Body'' doesn't have any supernatural elements, although it does rely for the most part on horror tropes to build its suspense and atmosphere. However, King's story is simple and direct, and the uncertainty is in its characters motivation to action. Joyce writes in that understated Brit style, in which the gore is hidden underneath a veneer of geniality. When something horrific happens in King's writing, there's no doubting the pain and blood. With Joyce, the event seems so unreal that you wonder if it just might be in the character's imagination.

The underlying question in The Tooth Fairy isn't, however, whether or not the Fairy is real (although it is a minor subplot), but if the Fairy is a good or evil influence. Late in the book, you realize that the Fairy, real or not, stands as a metaphor for certain aspects of being a child. On the surface, there is a simple story about a young boy plagued by a childhood demon, but underneath runs a Jungian psychodrama saying, in effect, that we all have these demons, and dealing with them is a process of maturing.

I was originally drawn to Graham Joyce by the recommendation of Jonathan Carroll in his recent interview with Bill Babouris, so I find it hard not to compare Joyce and Carroll as well. Like Carroll, Joyce tends to rely on a narrator that may not be entirely reliable. Carroll's writing is always detailed, rarely moving quickly in time, concentrated on the here and now. Joyce shifts in and out of detail, using vagueness to add a sense of unease or urgency in action (i.e., his narrator describes things in less detail when under stress).

I liked Joyce's Requiem, and thought that he might be an author to watch, but was not sure that his other books would show the same promise. After reading The Tooth Fairy, I have a better idea of his subject matter and style: fantastical depiction of psychological impairments. Other authors have attempted the same substance with varying degrees of success, but Joyce seems to have found a magic formula for his own work is fresh, exciting and illuminating.

I loved this odd book and found it very difficult to put down. It's a character driven coming of age story about three young boys growing up in apparent normalcy. But underneath the veneer of normalcy simmers unexpected moments of darkness and danger. As the boy's deal with life's many pitfalls -- growing up too smart, too dumb, too mediocre -- lurking in the shadows is a vicious tooth fairy which only one of the boy's (Sam) can see.

This tooth fairy is not the sweet version of childhood dreams but a nightmarish razor toothed, potty mouthed, mischievous apparition and it's not at all pleased that Sam can see it. As Sam grows, the tooth fairy continues to show up unexpectedly and begins to change its form, becoming a chilling sexual thing that teases and taunts and awakens odd feelings in Sam. Despite Sam's fear of the tooth fairy the two have a weird sort of connection.

This was most definitely a book that was anything but the "same-old, same-old" and I never could figure out quite where it was going next which is what I enjoyed so much about the book. The blend of the ordinary and the "weird" was seamless. Sam was a well developed, realistic character and watching him mature and grow was fascinating and I'm still pondering over the question "was it all in his imagination?" I'd like to think
it wasn't.

Overall a very creepy, touching, and perfectly bizarre book.

"The Tooth Fairy" is the first novel by Graham Joyce that I've undertaken. I can't wait to read another.

This is a quintessential coming-of-age story set in rural England during the 1960s. Joyce is a gritty writer with a great eye for detail and characterization. The three boys who are at the center of the story -- Sam, Terry and Clive -- are all well-drawn, believable charcters. Joyce really helps us understand what makes the boys tick. We understand their desires ... and their fears.

The novel takes us on a journey of life as we watch the boys grow from precocious 10-year olds to wise-beyond-their-year 18-year-old high school graduates. We are privy to fish attacks (yes, that's right), suicides, murders, suspected murders, vandalism and plenty of sexual discovery.

And through all of this is the Tooth Fairy. When Sam is 10, he places a tooth beneath his pillow, but as an experiment, he doesn't tell his parents about it. Clive believes this will either prove or disprove the Tooth Fairy's existence. In the middle of the night, not only does the Tooth Fairy show up, but it has manifested itself as an androginous creature with a mean streak and a bad odor and is none-too-happy that Sam can actually see it.

Why Sam and no one else can see the Tooth Fairy is never really explained... but it's not important. The point is he can, and to the Tooth Fairy this fact has endless repercussions. The Tooth Fairy follows Sam throughout adolescence creating both mayhem and joy for the exasparated youth. The Tooth Fairy's sex changes as well, shifting from androgony to female to male and back to female again. She helps awaken Sam's sexual longings as he begins to change from a boy to a young man.

But the Tooth Fairy's influences begin to spill over and affect Sam's family and friends and the gang seems perpetually beset by everything from small, nagging problems to devastating tragedy. It isn't until Sam learns that he and the Tooth Fairy are inexhorably linked together, almost Doppleganger-like, that he is able to come to grips with the situation.

This book is just riddled with great characters, such as Skelton, Sam's determined, whiskey-loving therapist; and Linda, Terry's beautiful older cousin and future beauty queen; and Alice, the enigmatic beauty that has caught the boys' eyes. Joyce gives all his characters, no matter how small, wonderful colors and shading that make the seem three dimensional.

The story itself, at least its tone and the nostolgic emotions it extracts, is reminescent of Stephen King's novella, "The Body" (later adapted by Rob Reiner into the movie, "Stand By Me"). In fact, I think fans of King would love "The Tooth Fairy." And like "The Body," "The Tooth Fairy" isn't an outright horror story, even though the fairy itself can be pretty frightening. It does have its chilling moments and is just bristling with sexual energy (it is after all, a story of three young boys coming of age and dealing with their newfound sexuality!) and teenage oppression.

I was sad when the novel came to end because I knew I had to say good bye to this odd, but engaging lot who had dubbed themselves The Redstone Moodies ... Redstone being their hometown and moody being what they were most of the time.

If you like thrillers, mysteries and fantasy fiction, or just enjoy a ripping good yarn with interesting characters thrust into somewhat odd situations, pick this up. Joyce's lush yet economical prose has the ability to transport you right dab into the middle of his literary creations.

A horror editor recommended pick that delivers the goods. A delightfully entertaining novel about the difficulties of growing up while dealing with a troublesome tooth fairy. The characters were vivid, the pace fast, and for once in a book, the ending was fulfilling. The author's style reminds me of Neil Gaimen. If you are interested in fantasy, this book would also fit that catagory.

Previous to the Tooth Fairy, I only knew Graham's work through his short stories. Recently, I decided it was time to delve into one of his novels, and though they all looked interesting, this one seemed the most like what I was in the mood for at the time. I am a jaded reader, and the book captivated me from the first chapter. Nothing as simple as a horror novel here - this is a celebration of life that is at times hysterical, at times sad without ever quite reaching tragic, at times too painfully true to be funny, at other times absurd, nostaglic, bold, loving... I feel like he took me through my own childhood, without delving into any of the cliches that you'd expect on such a journey. It's been a long time since I read a book that made me genuinely sad when the ride was over. Simply put, I loved every minute of it.

I have read over 35 books since the comming of the new year, and not one of them stood up to this wonderfull book. I will disclaim that, no, this book isn't for everyone, least of all the easily offended or faint of heart. The characters are masterfully developed almost equaly in perspective. The "protagonist" does NOT wander around in this book devoid of conterbalance and 2-D supporting characters, rather is enhanced by the very different yet very compatable and lifelike cast of disturbed kids, neurotic adults and one psychotic toothfairy. Its a love story, its a hate story, it made me laugh and almost brought me to tears. This is liturature with that SF twist, the story carrys itself in all "normal" lifelike aspects, the toothfairy serves as metaphore, the bad guy, the sidekick, the lover. I hate the word "profound" when applied to almost anything because it is always used flippantly (kind of like "Tour De Force") and it always sounds like something a guy in a black turtle-neck would say about "Grease Stain on Canvas" at some art gallery. I willingly and stedfastly give this book "proufound status", reccomended, stamped, sealed and approved %100.

I had read Joyce's Requiem prior to picking this one up. I'd suggest reading this one first. They're equally interesting and thought provoking, but I found this one took me back to my formative years, making the book all the more enjoyable.

It is a coming of age book, but it's also much more. Joyce gives the reader stuccato glimpses into the netherworld and our psyche at the same time. This is either comforting or disturbing, depending on your frame of mind.

It is not, however, for the faint of heart. It can be relatively erotic and brutally honest. Call it PG-17.

This is a great writer. One I hope gets more prolific as he ages.

Seven-year-old Sam Southall awakens the night he loses his first tooth and encounters a strange visitor. He surprises the odd little creature, who, after recovering its composure, reveals itself as the Tooth Fairy of legend. Thus begins a relationship which endures until Sam leaves for college, a strange, touching, sometimes dangerous association that adds spice and terror to Sam's otherwise normal existence. The Tooth Fairy, whose appearance, demeanor and sex change constantly, accompanies Sam on his journey through adolescence, sharing his triumphs and tragedies, even ushering him into manhood with his first sexual experience. Along the way, the he/she/it protects Sam, but also exposes him to a variety of dangers; the mercurial creature is by turns adversarial and supportive, giving the novel a certain edginess.

From the outset, Joyce stresses the uncertainty of life. One of the more horrifying events in the novel takes place well before the Tooth Fairy appears. In the book's opening scene, one of Sam's friends is attacked by a pike as he dangles his feet in a stream. The boy loses a toe, and is destined to walk with a limp for the rest of his life. The attack, frightening because of its suddenness and harshness, is a stunning reminder of how quickly lives can change. One minute you are safe, shooting the breeze with your friends, the next you are being hurried off to the emergency room. It also points out that no one is in control -- neither children nor their parents.

Joyce's point is that the only sure thing in life is change--he expresses this sentiment perfectly, using Sam as a prism. Who better to portray the ambiguity of life than a teenager, whose perceptions change along with his body? Joyce uses his innate understanding of childhood to great advantage, creating a story that can be taken as a supernatural tale or as a psychological study of a troubled adolescent grappling with impending adulthood.

Joyce returns to the theme of ambiguity again and again. Consider, for example, the Tooth Fairy's gender or lack thereof -- its form varies with Sam's age and mood. Besides its physical malleability, it also assumes a striking variety of roles, acting in turn as friend, foe, prophet, protector, lover, and conscience. While it often taunts and threatens him, it also helps him handle bullies, protects him from crazy adults, and initiates him into the wonders of sex. In short, it is whatever Sam needs it to be.

There is also the question of whether the Tooth Fairy exists at all -- the book permits either interpretation. Interestingly, the Tooth Fairy appears to Sam soon after a traumatic event at school. One might say that it appeared in response to the event, perhaps as Sam's coping mechanism. Thereafter, its visits coincide with the turbulent events in Sam's life, suggesting that it may all be in his mind. Cunningly, Joyce has Sam visit a psychiatrist, to whom he confesses all about the Tooth Fairy. The psychiatrist, bent on fulfilling his own expectations, blithely ignores Sam, choosing instead to pepper him with inane questions about his sexual urges.

It's hard to predict what the talented Joyce will come up with next. Based on prior experience, however, it promises to be strange, compelling and original.