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The Girl, The Gold Tooth, and Everything
Mina Clark is losing her mind—or maybe it’s already gone. She isn’t quite sure. Feeling displaced in her over-priced McMansion-dotted suburban world, she is grappling not only with deep debt, a mostly absent husband, and her playground-terrorizer 3-year old Emma, but also with a significant amnesia she can’t shake—a “temporary” condition now going on several years, brought on by a traumatic event she cannot remember, and which everyone around her feels is best forgotten. A routine trip to the dentist changes everything for Mina, and suddenly she's not sure if what's happening is real, of if she's just now fully losing her mind... especially when she realizes the only person she thought she could trust is the one she fears the most.
This latest novel by Francine LaSala (Rita Hayworth’s Shoes) is a fast-paced, richly layered, and darkly humorous satire filled with quirky characters and unforgettable moments of humanity.
This latest novel by Francine LaSala (Rita Hayworth’s Shoes) is a fast-paced, richly layered, and darkly humorous satire filled with quirky characters and unforgettable moments of humanity.
210 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2012
9 people are currently reading
403 people want to read
About the author
Francine LaSala
9 books64 followersFRANCINE LASALA has written nonfiction on every topic imaginable, from circus freaks to sex, and edited bestselling authors of all genres through her company, Francine LaSala Productions. She is now actively taking on indie clients for manuscript evaluations, editing services, copywriting (covers, blurbs, taglines, queries, and more), website and blog creation, and developing kickass social media campaigns.
The author of novels Rita Hayworth’s Shoes and The Girl, The Gold Tooth & Everything, and the creator of The “Joy Jar” Project, she lives with her husband and two daughters in New York.
Drop me a note: francine@francinelasala.com.
The author of novels Rita Hayworth’s Shoes and The Girl, The Gold Tooth & Everything, and the creator of The “Joy Jar” Project, she lives with her husband and two daughters in New York.
Drop me a note: francine@francinelasala.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
May 16, 2013
In the past 16 months, I've read 168 books, and I can count on one hand those that hooked me as quickly and thoroughly, relentlessly chained my interest--nay, obsession--to its roller coaster plot, and--having had its way with me--spat me out by way of a lovely ending.
"The Girl, The Gold Tooth, And Everything: A Novel" is an amazing ride, and a tough book to describe.
Mina is a young wife and mother living in an odd gated community. Her husband, Jack, is a salesman, and he travels a lot. Mina's daughter, Emma, is maybe three, and she's feisty and willful.
The problem, though, is that Mina doesn't remember getting married. She doesn't remember being pregnant.
Her only real friend is a kind, elderly neighbor, who watches Emma when Mina needs to go out, and who provides a shoulder to cry on when things get too bad.
There are bill collectors hounding her, and Mina becomes overwhelmed.
Sometimes, something random will spark a memory fragment inside her. She can't remember her past, but she gets glimpses. As the book progresses, these sparks add up. Mina discovers parts of her "real" personality that have lain dormant for years. In dreams, she encounters memories, but they're wispy and ephemeral.
Eventually, Mina starts to make new friends. Some of them will help save her life. Others will try to destroy her.
I could not stop reading this book. At work, I read between clients, till finally, I could get home and just read.
Author Francine LaSala writes beautifully, but her truest gift is knowing how to release Mina's memories in dribs and drabs. We as readers become as obsessed with getting Mina's memory back as Mina does. We feel invested, because her character doesn't know more than we do. When she meets new people, so do we, and we make our judgments whether they're good or bad, same as Mina.
And ye gods, this book could have gone wrong. If the story had been handled any less skillfully, the entire framework of the book could have collapsed.
Thank the Book Gods Ms LaSala deftly avoided all pitfalls.
The result is one of those books where we're so drawn into the story, that it seems to read itself. All we can do is hold on and enjoy the ride.
Most Highly Recommended
"The Girl, The Gold Tooth, And Everything: A Novel" is an amazing ride, and a tough book to describe.
Mina is a young wife and mother living in an odd gated community. Her husband, Jack, is a salesman, and he travels a lot. Mina's daughter, Emma, is maybe three, and she's feisty and willful.
The problem, though, is that Mina doesn't remember getting married. She doesn't remember being pregnant.
Her only real friend is a kind, elderly neighbor, who watches Emma when Mina needs to go out, and who provides a shoulder to cry on when things get too bad.
There are bill collectors hounding her, and Mina becomes overwhelmed.
Sometimes, something random will spark a memory fragment inside her. She can't remember her past, but she gets glimpses. As the book progresses, these sparks add up. Mina discovers parts of her "real" personality that have lain dormant for years. In dreams, she encounters memories, but they're wispy and ephemeral.
Eventually, Mina starts to make new friends. Some of them will help save her life. Others will try to destroy her.
I could not stop reading this book. At work, I read between clients, till finally, I could get home and just read.
Author Francine LaSala writes beautifully, but her truest gift is knowing how to release Mina's memories in dribs and drabs. We as readers become as obsessed with getting Mina's memory back as Mina does. We feel invested, because her character doesn't know more than we do. When she meets new people, so do we, and we make our judgments whether they're good or bad, same as Mina.
And ye gods, this book could have gone wrong. If the story had been handled any less skillfully, the entire framework of the book could have collapsed.
Thank the Book Gods Ms LaSala deftly avoided all pitfalls.
The result is one of those books where we're so drawn into the story, that it seems to read itself. All we can do is hold on and enjoy the ride.
Most Highly Recommended
December 8, 2012
With a delightfully unreliable protagonist who may be losing her mind, Francine La Sala's The Girl, the Gold Tooth and Everything offers a good blend of mystery and entertainment.
Mina Clark has mounting bills to pay, an absent husband a rambunctious daughter to deal with. To make matters worse, she also has amnesia and is afraid her mind is slipping even more. Though she has almost no memory of her life, the people around her do not fill in he blanks, because they fear the circumstances that led her condition are too much for her to handle.
When a visit to the dentist leads her to have a gold crown placed in her mouth, Mina's thoughts -- dreams and memories included -- take a turn for the even crazier. With her life, and her family's, at stake, she must do something to figure out the mystery surrounding her life before it is too late.
This book took so many twists and turns, it was difficult not to get completely caught up in the story. Though written in third person, it followed Mina's train of thought mostly, and with her being an unreliable narrator on account of her amnesia and possible insanity, as a reader I questioned almost everything going on around her. When a writer can pull off a character and story like that, you know it is going to be good.
Throughout the story, as Mina tries to figure out her life, she is inexplicably drawn to a voice on recordings she found in storage. Eventually, it becomes clear who the voice behind the recordings is, which adds more clarity to the story in a totally effective way. I can't say more than that without spoiling the story.
In addition to Mina, the story was filled with characters who added even more intrigue to the story. No one and nothing is who or what they seemed by the end of the book.
Well-developed, suspenseful and filled with several unexpected twists, this was an excellent read that kept me flipping the pages.
Rating: 4.5 of 5
Originally posted to www.change-the-word.blogspot.com.
Mina Clark has mounting bills to pay, an absent husband a rambunctious daughter to deal with. To make matters worse, she also has amnesia and is afraid her mind is slipping even more. Though she has almost no memory of her life, the people around her do not fill in he blanks, because they fear the circumstances that led her condition are too much for her to handle.
When a visit to the dentist leads her to have a gold crown placed in her mouth, Mina's thoughts -- dreams and memories included -- take a turn for the even crazier. With her life, and her family's, at stake, she must do something to figure out the mystery surrounding her life before it is too late.
This book took so many twists and turns, it was difficult not to get completely caught up in the story. Though written in third person, it followed Mina's train of thought mostly, and with her being an unreliable narrator on account of her amnesia and possible insanity, as a reader I questioned almost everything going on around her. When a writer can pull off a character and story like that, you know it is going to be good.
Throughout the story, as Mina tries to figure out her life, she is inexplicably drawn to a voice on recordings she found in storage. Eventually, it becomes clear who the voice behind the recordings is, which adds more clarity to the story in a totally effective way. I can't say more than that without spoiling the story.
In addition to Mina, the story was filled with characters who added even more intrigue to the story. No one and nothing is who or what they seemed by the end of the book.
Well-developed, suspenseful and filled with several unexpected twists, this was an excellent read that kept me flipping the pages.
Rating: 4.5 of 5
Originally posted to www.change-the-word.blogspot.com.
May 20, 2013
The book had elements of What Alice Forgot as well as Before I Go To Sleep but not necessarily the best of either.
Book Blurb: “Mina Clark is losing her mind—or maybe it’s already gone. She isn’t quite sure. Feeling displaced in her over-priced McMansion-dotted suburban world, she is grappling not only with deep debt, a mostly absent husband, and her playground-terrorizer 3-year old Emma, but also with a significant amnesia she can’t shake—a “temporary” condition now going on several years, brought on by a traumatic event she cannot remember, and which everyone around her feels is best forgotten.”
I found the neighbour Esther highly condescending, Char (the very stereotyped African American sass mouthed friend) funny up to a point, Emma the 3 year old highly unlikable – that child needs a good old fashioned hiding – and Harriett a white trash alcoholic a bit overly dramatized. If these characters were portrayed in a more subtle way they would have felt more authentic. And then right at the end one whopper of a plot flaw (sigh).
To be honest if this wasn’t a Netgalley Copy I would never have picked up the book. It is a fluff read that would be a good beach holiday companion provided that you have not already read What Alice Forgot.
Book Blurb: “Mina Clark is losing her mind—or maybe it’s already gone. She isn’t quite sure. Feeling displaced in her over-priced McMansion-dotted suburban world, she is grappling not only with deep debt, a mostly absent husband, and her playground-terrorizer 3-year old Emma, but also with a significant amnesia she can’t shake—a “temporary” condition now going on several years, brought on by a traumatic event she cannot remember, and which everyone around her feels is best forgotten.”
I found the neighbour Esther highly condescending, Char (the very stereotyped African American sass mouthed friend) funny up to a point, Emma the 3 year old highly unlikable – that child needs a good old fashioned hiding – and Harriett a white trash alcoholic a bit overly dramatized. If these characters were portrayed in a more subtle way they would have felt more authentic. And then right at the end one whopper of a plot flaw (sigh).
To be honest if this wasn’t a Netgalley Copy I would never have picked up the book. It is a fluff read that would be a good beach holiday companion provided that you have not already read What Alice Forgot.
September 25, 2020
This was an all right book, but it wasn't as surprising and shocking as it should have been. I have read other similarly themed books, and this one just didn't come close to being as well written and engaging as those. I also hate (as many who read my reviews know) characters that are not really characters (trying not to spoil). I feel cheated and lied to, even though the fact that the main character has failing memory is a major part of the book.
Trying to clear off some of the old Netgalley books. I received a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Trying to clear off some of the old Netgalley books. I received a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
May 13, 2013
Wait, did I download the wrong book? I'm seriously not understanding the 3+ star ratings I'm seeing on Goodreads. How do i put this nicely to avoid another goodreads incident?
me no like-y
me no like-y
May 26, 2013
Implausible plot. Nothing magical in it for me. I kept reading it thinking it would get better but....I was disappointed to the end.
December 6, 2013
Wierd. Almost too wierd? And I think the wrap up at the end was too neat and tidy. Maybe 2.5 stars......?
October 30, 2012
I was given an Advance Review Copy by the author.
I have rated it 4 stars, but had it been possible, I would have rated it 4.5
If you like mystery and quirky books, this is for you!
Initially I was intrigued by the title, and thought, I really must find out what this is about!
The book was nothing like I expected. I saw amnesia and for some reason had decided it was going to be akin to Jodi Picoult's books. It wasn't, but it was all the better for it, because it showed a type of book that I would never have thought of reading, but which I hugely enjoyed, devouring it in only 3 days.
I didn't guess who the baddies were. There are some very clever mind games going on not just for the amnesiac, but as regards the author toying with the reader. It is very subtly done and is very effective.
I liked the protagonist, Mina, particularly when she started to act more like her old self. I thought the way this came about and what was later revealed about this, was funny and also very well choreographed.
The little old lady, Esther, and the larger than life female friend whom Mina meets, were very well portrayed indeed, as was the main male character( can't tell you too much about him - as would be giving you clues!)
What is real to Mina and to the rest of the world may not always be the same thing, or is it? That's the quintessential question. Is she imagining things? If so, what? Who is she really?
If you like mystery, combined with relationships within families and a little bit of surrealism thrown in, then you are on to a winner with this novel. A sinister tale.
January 11, 2013
I have now read both of Francine LaSala’s novels and while The Girl The Gold Tooth and Everything is completely different than Rita Hayworth’s Shoes, what they both have in common is a magical element. LaSala’s vivid imagination, lyrical writing style and biting sense of humor make me feel like I am in a magical land, even though I’m in present time and not in any alternate universe. From the ruby shoes in RITA that turned Amy’s life around to the gold tooth (or as the main character’s adorable daughter Emma called it “”Gowd tooft”) in The Girl, LaSala’s stories are so original and unlike anything I’ve ever read before.
I really had trouble putting down this book because I wanted to know what the heck was going on! I needed to know why Mina had amnesia, whether she would ever get her memory back, if her husband was as loyal as she thought, if the old lady down the street was the helpful neighbor she claimed to be, if hippy Harriet was a cooky as she seemed and if Emma would color Mina’s entire house with crayons. I LOVED the portrayal of Emma from which it is clear that Francine LaSala has children. Emma was a handful but so comical that my biological clock was ticking out of control while reading. And when Mina went off on the debt collector and repeatedly dropped the “F” bomb, I was laughing hysterically.
The Girl The Gold Tooth and Everything is a really entertaining, engaging and unique story with romance, mystery, humor and, yes, magic. I highly recommend.
I really had trouble putting down this book because I wanted to know what the heck was going on! I needed to know why Mina had amnesia, whether she would ever get her memory back, if her husband was as loyal as she thought, if the old lady down the street was the helpful neighbor she claimed to be, if hippy Harriet was a cooky as she seemed and if Emma would color Mina’s entire house with crayons. I LOVED the portrayal of Emma from which it is clear that Francine LaSala has children. Emma was a handful but so comical that my biological clock was ticking out of control while reading. And when Mina went off on the debt collector and repeatedly dropped the “F” bomb, I was laughing hysterically.
The Girl The Gold Tooth and Everything is a really entertaining, engaging and unique story with romance, mystery, humor and, yes, magic. I highly recommend.
March 21, 2016
I actually completed "The Girl, the Gold Tooth, and Everything" this weekend under the mistaken assumption that it would all make sense in the end.
I was drawn in by the reviews that stated it was "full of twists and turns". Of course it's a twist if it's so improbable to the point of absurdity.
It features: amnesia, gps tracking and mind control devices in gold teeth, dryers that are rigged to explode but no obvious triggering device, false memories, "imaginary friends"(I'm pretty sure it's a multiple personalities thing rather than a hallucination), missing husband, sick toddler, symbolism of dragons and dragonflies, Russian Rasputin-type motivational speakers, resurfaced memories, neighborhood disputes (someone replants a flower bed twice, gasp!),
And, oh yeah, excuse the spoiler, but the old lady did it with a sledgehammer. Yes, the 80 year old "improbably drew a sledgehammer out from behind her". And all it takes for someone to regain their mojo: dark makeup and fake fur clothing. Yeah, now she's a badass!
By all means, give it a whirl if you want an entertaining example of a lack of focus and editing.
I was drawn in by the reviews that stated it was "full of twists and turns". Of course it's a twist if it's so improbable to the point of absurdity.
It features: amnesia, gps tracking and mind control devices in gold teeth, dryers that are rigged to explode but no obvious triggering device, false memories, "imaginary friends"(I'm pretty sure it's a multiple personalities thing rather than a hallucination), missing husband, sick toddler, symbolism of dragons and dragonflies, Russian Rasputin-type motivational speakers, resurfaced memories, neighborhood disputes (someone replants a flower bed twice, gasp!),
And, oh yeah, excuse the spoiler, but the old lady did it with a sledgehammer. Yes, the 80 year old "improbably drew a sledgehammer out from behind her". And all it takes for someone to regain their mojo: dark makeup and fake fur clothing. Yeah, now she's a badass!
By all means, give it a whirl if you want an entertaining example of a lack of focus and editing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2013
Wow. What can I say? This was one of the most unique books I've read in a while. It's not that the format was unusual or that the author tried to get cute with point of view. No, in those cases, it was refreshing traditional. But the story was unlike anything else I've ever read. I had contradictory impulses while reading it, too. "Read it fast, to find out what's going to happen." "No! Read slower, to savor it." "No! Just a few more pages!" "No! I'm afraid to see what happens next!" I was a bundle of nerves throughout the entire book! I had no idea what was going to happen, since I had no experience with a story or plot line like it. Well done, Ms. LaSala! I'll definitely be checking out "Rita Hayworth's Shoes" very soon!
February 17, 2014
I haven't finished a book this fast in a very long time. I've had it on my Kindle for a while, and I didn't really know what to expect when I started, but this story had me hooked. I don't think I've read anything like it before. All kinds of twists and turns that had me going, "Wha...? Huh...?" but in a good way. I was constantly wondering who Mina could trust, who she couldn't, who was real, and what the hell was going on with her life, which of course, is what kept me turning the pages. I was never bored a single second. Way to craft a great story, Francine LaSala!
October 8, 2012
There are books that make you laugh; there are books that draw you in with a blend of mystery and menace, keeping you up late to turn the pages; and there are books that hit nerves and touch your heart. But there are very few books that can do it all. The Girl, the Gold Tooth & Everything is that magical, memorable book. It will keep you laughing, crying, and most of all questioning everything until the final, satisfying last page.
October 1, 2012
COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! So intriguing, interesting characters, kept me hooked from start to finish. Looking forward to the next novel by Francine LaSala!
October 2, 2012
I loved every minute of this fast-paced, fun and exhilarating book. Pure gold!
October 4, 2012
Loads of fun, very fast paced, with fantastic characters you'll love (and maybe a couple you'll love to hate). Take this wonderful novel to your favorite armchair and enjoy!
Want to read
April 4, 2013I have to read this one... a dentist visit in it!!
November 5, 2013
4 stars.
This review contains some spoilers, so if you want to keep the suspense before you pick this up, just click on the X on top. :-)
Reading The Girl, the Gold Tooth, and Everything was confusing especially at the start because you feel like you're as lost as the main protagonist, Mina Clark. If you don't read the synopsis, like I did, prior to reading, then you might be going in blind. There's a prologue but it does not introduce Mina's state of mind in chapter one. In fact, it was only after a few pages that I was able to figure out that Mina lost her memory.
I felt like I was going into the story as blind as Mina was. I felt as uncertain and as confused as she was. Maybe this was done on purpose by the author, Francine LaSala, or maybe it wasn't. However, it did the trick, leaving me perpetually curious to find out what the heck was going on. It wasn't a good feeling, I hated it, in fact, but I cannot deny that I was able to relate to Mina's confusion.
I didn't like any of the characters, except for Char-tee, Harriet, and Mina. The others, like Jack and Alex, felt too bland. There were a lot of hints along the way but Mina never really did trust her instincts. For an investigative reporter, she seemed quite clueless about the people she kept trusting, before and after the incident. Comic relief came in the form of Harriet's kooky but envy-inducing family and the whole neighborhood dynamics. Emma's antics were also funny, especially since she was just being a kid. She had her crazy moments, but reading about her latest escapade was a welcome distraction.
However, when I got to the ending, the 'explanation' felt so far-fetched I was left feeling dissatisfied with how the whole quirky, confusing episode ended. I also had a lot more questions than when I first started. Like also, if Char-tee was just a figment of her imagination, then how did she get her creditors to back off? Who really did that after all? And why does she keep imagining her uncle as a dragon?
Aside from Mina, everything and everyone was highly exaggerated, which totally belied the cheery and light cover. The secondary sub-plot was like a dark satire on how the young and old look at each other and just don't understand each other's POV and on how people tend to treat, delicately or indelicately, around people who have some sort of mental imbalance. Frankly, Harriet was almost the only one who treated Mina with some kind of normal attitude. Although Harriet is quite out of this world, it's not too hard to imagine her as a real person.
The ending was heart-warming, and I felt satisfied that at least Mina had a semblance of normality after that whole crazy episode. The Girl, the Gold Tooth, and Everything could have used a few more pages to settle a lot more questions. Still, I don't regret reading the book. I actually want more of it, if only to satisfy my questions. I think fans of satire and those who can relate to being a mom and having a kid who just runs around creating havoc while everything is pretty darn confusing can find some refuge here, with a glass of wine, of course.
This review contains some spoilers, so if you want to keep the suspense before you pick this up, just click on the X on top. :-)
Reading The Girl, the Gold Tooth, and Everything was confusing especially at the start because you feel like you're as lost as the main protagonist, Mina Clark. If you don't read the synopsis, like I did, prior to reading, then you might be going in blind. There's a prologue but it does not introduce Mina's state of mind in chapter one. In fact, it was only after a few pages that I was able to figure out that Mina lost her memory.
I felt like I was going into the story as blind as Mina was. I felt as uncertain and as confused as she was. Maybe this was done on purpose by the author, Francine LaSala, or maybe it wasn't. However, it did the trick, leaving me perpetually curious to find out what the heck was going on. It wasn't a good feeling, I hated it, in fact, but I cannot deny that I was able to relate to Mina's confusion.
I didn't like any of the characters, except for Char-tee, Harriet, and Mina. The others, like Jack and Alex, felt too bland. There were a lot of hints along the way but Mina never really did trust her instincts. For an investigative reporter, she seemed quite clueless about the people she kept trusting, before and after the incident. Comic relief came in the form of Harriet's kooky but envy-inducing family and the whole neighborhood dynamics. Emma's antics were also funny, especially since she was just being a kid. She had her crazy moments, but reading about her latest escapade was a welcome distraction.
However, when I got to the ending, the 'explanation' felt so far-fetched I was left feeling dissatisfied with how the whole quirky, confusing episode ended. I also had a lot more questions than when I first started. Like also, if Char-tee was just a figment of her imagination, then how did she get her creditors to back off? Who really did that after all? And why does she keep imagining her uncle as a dragon?
Aside from Mina, everything and everyone was highly exaggerated, which totally belied the cheery and light cover. The secondary sub-plot was like a dark satire on how the young and old look at each other and just don't understand each other's POV and on how people tend to treat, delicately or indelicately, around people who have some sort of mental imbalance. Frankly, Harriet was almost the only one who treated Mina with some kind of normal attitude. Although Harriet is quite out of this world, it's not too hard to imagine her as a real person.
The ending was heart-warming, and I felt satisfied that at least Mina had a semblance of normality after that whole crazy episode. The Girl, the Gold Tooth, and Everything could have used a few more pages to settle a lot more questions. Still, I don't regret reading the book. I actually want more of it, if only to satisfy my questions. I think fans of satire and those who can relate to being a mom and having a kid who just runs around creating havoc while everything is pretty darn confusing can find some refuge here, with a glass of wine, of course.
April 29, 2013
Off on holiday? Need an entertaining, yet quick read that won’t tax your head while its in relax mode or overload a slightly woolly brain recovering from too many bahama mammas? Then this is the book for you.
The Girl, The Gold Tooth and Everything by Francine La Sala took a page or two to get going and settle in, but I found myself instantly liking the main character Mina. Mina is 42, lives in a wealthy gated community, has a beautiful husband, a mountain of debt and a mischievous 3-year-old child. She also has a kindly, elderly neighbour named Esther who is her part time child minder and friend. That’s about all Mina knows. She lost her memory and lives day to day trying to find links to her past. The Dr says that no-one should feed Mina information on what happened ‘before’, because that could influence her memories.
The story picks up as Mina starts to get flashes of memories and glimpses of something which was her life before. Mina seems very real, she is flawed, muddled at times and seems to have a nightmare fending off debt collectors and coping with the toils of every day life with a young child, which makes her instantly relatable and real. You want her to find her memory. Her three year old daughter Emma however, is not. I felt the child was placed as a character merely to tie Mina and old Esther together and nothing more. It got to the point that whenever I scanned the page and saw “Monny! Monny!” I skipped straight past her. See past the annoying 3 year old though however and the twists and turns as Mina starts to remember keep you occupied and engaged in the book right the way through.
There is also one character, ‘Chara-tee’ which pretty damn close at times to becoming a hugely generalistic African American stereotype. She is loud, big and sassy, but some of the references on the page seemed pretty clichéd. If this book ever gets made into a movie Queen Latifah would most certainly play her! It was a little uncomfortable to read at certain points to be honest.
The last third of the book is where it all happens. Memories return, characters turn out to be bad when you thought they were good and vice versa (spoiler – Emma remains annoying!). The plot is outrageous and not set in reality at all, quite implausible infact. Which is direct contrast to the normal lives of the characters in the first half of the book. Some revelations made me smile in disbelief, but I enjoyed the ride thoroughly. The writing style almost has a magical, fantastical feel to it which takes you to a completely different place and it becomes a very difficult book to put down.
This book is an easy, entertaining read and if you aren’t looking for the next Shantaram, but something to pop in your hand luggage or read on the commuter train you won’t be disappointed at all.
The Girl, The Gold Tooth and Everything by Francine La Sala took a page or two to get going and settle in, but I found myself instantly liking the main character Mina. Mina is 42, lives in a wealthy gated community, has a beautiful husband, a mountain of debt and a mischievous 3-year-old child. She also has a kindly, elderly neighbour named Esther who is her part time child minder and friend. That’s about all Mina knows. She lost her memory and lives day to day trying to find links to her past. The Dr says that no-one should feed Mina information on what happened ‘before’, because that could influence her memories.
The story picks up as Mina starts to get flashes of memories and glimpses of something which was her life before. Mina seems very real, she is flawed, muddled at times and seems to have a nightmare fending off debt collectors and coping with the toils of every day life with a young child, which makes her instantly relatable and real. You want her to find her memory. Her three year old daughter Emma however, is not. I felt the child was placed as a character merely to tie Mina and old Esther together and nothing more. It got to the point that whenever I scanned the page and saw “Monny! Monny!” I skipped straight past her. See past the annoying 3 year old though however and the twists and turns as Mina starts to remember keep you occupied and engaged in the book right the way through.
There is also one character, ‘Chara-tee’ which pretty damn close at times to becoming a hugely generalistic African American stereotype. She is loud, big and sassy, but some of the references on the page seemed pretty clichéd. If this book ever gets made into a movie Queen Latifah would most certainly play her! It was a little uncomfortable to read at certain points to be honest.
The last third of the book is where it all happens. Memories return, characters turn out to be bad when you thought they were good and vice versa (spoiler – Emma remains annoying!). The plot is outrageous and not set in reality at all, quite implausible infact. Which is direct contrast to the normal lives of the characters in the first half of the book. Some revelations made me smile in disbelief, but I enjoyed the ride thoroughly. The writing style almost has a magical, fantastical feel to it which takes you to a completely different place and it becomes a very difficult book to put down.
This book is an easy, entertaining read and if you aren’t looking for the next Shantaram, but something to pop in your hand luggage or read on the commuter train you won’t be disappointed at all.
November 6, 2013
Memories are tangible things we always hold on to. It keeps us track of our experiences, whether it's success and full of happiness or failures and disappointments. That's why losing it, for me, is one of the scariest things that could happen. I love memorizing things and retaining information. It's food for my brain and it's essential to writing and reading, of course. I can't imagine myself forgetting everything I have read in my entire life. That would really break me.
This was the main theme of this book. Mina Clark lost her memory and she cannot remember a single thing. People around her were also advised not to tell her anything from the past. She should learn it alone step-by-step. It was clear that the main point of the story that the readers should grasp is finding one's self both literally and figuratively speaking. The former is obvious since the protagonist has amnesia and the latter is more of knowing who you really are.
Some things I just like to adhere are the pacing of the story, the people around Mina, and herself. First, I think the storyline was really slow. It felt like running around in circles. At first it was alright since it gives off an aura of a mysterious case wherein you want to solve it immediately but it was overdone that I got to the point wherein I was totally tired that I wished the author just get to the point. I read this for so many days and I wish I could only just say it's because I was preoccupied with work. But it's partly because I really can't push myself to read more. It was a struggle to know the real reason why it happened to Mina and to know who are the people around her. Speaking of which, I want to strangle almost all of them. They were so precocious for the wrong reasons (which you find out why towards the end of the book). They were so gullible to not think otherwise. Third is Mina. I hate that she can't assert herself. I understand her case but still, I suppose she have her instincts in tact to feel if she is right or wrong, or if this person is good or bad for her. Though I appreciate the fact that she did look for ways to get her memories back and that she was able to fight everything because of her willpower.
Overall, The Girl, The Gold Tooth & Everything was weirdly different. It was new alright but it's not just for me. The events were not polished enough. But I appreciate it for discussing injustices when it comes to banking and loans (if that could make up for everything...).
This was the main theme of this book. Mina Clark lost her memory and she cannot remember a single thing. People around her were also advised not to tell her anything from the past. She should learn it alone step-by-step. It was clear that the main point of the story that the readers should grasp is finding one's self both literally and figuratively speaking. The former is obvious since the protagonist has amnesia and the latter is more of knowing who you really are.
Some things I just like to adhere are the pacing of the story, the people around Mina, and herself. First, I think the storyline was really slow. It felt like running around in circles. At first it was alright since it gives off an aura of a mysterious case wherein you want to solve it immediately but it was overdone that I got to the point wherein I was totally tired that I wished the author just get to the point. I read this for so many days and I wish I could only just say it's because I was preoccupied with work. But it's partly because I really can't push myself to read more. It was a struggle to know the real reason why it happened to Mina and to know who are the people around her. Speaking of which, I want to strangle almost all of them. They were so precocious for the wrong reasons (which you find out why towards the end of the book). They were so gullible to not think otherwise. Third is Mina. I hate that she can't assert herself. I understand her case but still, I suppose she have her instincts in tact to feel if she is right or wrong, or if this person is good or bad for her. Though I appreciate the fact that she did look for ways to get her memories back and that she was able to fight everything because of her willpower.
Overall, The Girl, The Gold Tooth & Everything was weirdly different. It was new alright but it's not just for me. The events were not polished enough. But I appreciate it for discussing injustices when it comes to banking and loans (if that could make up for everything...).
June 8, 2013
Originally reviewed at Novel Escapes
In the end I stayed up way too late again reading this one but it was bit of a slow starter for me. I was initially really frustrated by our protagonist Mina’s memory loss. I wanted to skip things to get to the reason for her amnesia but I forced myself to slow down and read every word, which was good because otherwise I’m sure I would have missed something important.
The Girl, The Gold Tooth and Everything is a quirky title for an equally quirky novel. It’s a thriller in a sense because there’s mystery and a hint of murder and deceit in the air but it’s also peppered with every day activities. A mother struggling to remember her past while dealing with a rambunctious toddler demanding her attention made for a scattered storyline but this is all in aid of the thriller aspect of the story- which I wasn’t even aware of for the first third of the book! I spent a lot of time trying not to dislike most of the supporting characters, none of them appealed to me which now makes sense as you won’t know until the end who are the friends and who are the foes. Mina herself was like a lost soul and I just wanted to fix her as her husband Jack appeared to want to do also but I wasn’t sure I could trust him either!
I was completely thrown by the ending and actually by a lot of things in the middle too, and I truly wish I could say more but that would definitely give the game away so I’ll have to stick with saying that it was both too short and too long a book. I wanted to race to the end of The Girl, The Gold Tooth and Everything but wanted more details on every page and enjoyed it thoroughly!
Thank you to Francine Lasala for our review copy. All opinions are our own.
In the end I stayed up way too late again reading this one but it was bit of a slow starter for me. I was initially really frustrated by our protagonist Mina’s memory loss. I wanted to skip things to get to the reason for her amnesia but I forced myself to slow down and read every word, which was good because otherwise I’m sure I would have missed something important.
The Girl, The Gold Tooth and Everything is a quirky title for an equally quirky novel. It’s a thriller in a sense because there’s mystery and a hint of murder and deceit in the air but it’s also peppered with every day activities. A mother struggling to remember her past while dealing with a rambunctious toddler demanding her attention made for a scattered storyline but this is all in aid of the thriller aspect of the story- which I wasn’t even aware of for the first third of the book! I spent a lot of time trying not to dislike most of the supporting characters, none of them appealed to me which now makes sense as you won’t know until the end who are the friends and who are the foes. Mina herself was like a lost soul and I just wanted to fix her as her husband Jack appeared to want to do also but I wasn’t sure I could trust him either!
I was completely thrown by the ending and actually by a lot of things in the middle too, and I truly wish I could say more but that would definitely give the game away so I’ll have to stick with saying that it was both too short and too long a book. I wanted to race to the end of The Girl, The Gold Tooth and Everything but wanted more details on every page and enjoyed it thoroughly!
Thank you to Francine Lasala for our review copy. All opinions are our own.
February 4, 2018
Poor Mina Clark. She has no memory of her life before the last two years. As far as she's concerned, she's trapped in a luxury existence that she can't pay for, and though she's married, she and her toddler Emma might as well have been abandoned by her husband Jack for all the time she gets to see him. She'd love to unravel the mystery of what happened to her memory, but it's too much to handle when she's also trying to figure out how to pay for her leaky drier, fix her kitchen ceiling, get her car out of the shop and fix her aching tooth when she's already dodging debt collectors. Thank goodness for friends, including her kindly neighbor Esther and free spirit Harriet. Too bad they can't stand each other. Why is that again?
Life is both lonely and complicated enough- why do Russian-accented Alex and Char'a-tee have to make it even worse? And what happened in the past that was so awful that Doctor Barsheed won't let anyone tell her what happened to her until she can figure it out on her own?
As other reviewers noted, this was a story that made use of magical realism and took frequent dips into dreams and memories. However, the story was made by the fluid descriptions of the reality Mina found herself searching through, and many modern readers will be able to relate to a woman in her early forties trying to remember how she ended up in her current circumstance, why she can't do anything correctly and most importantly what happened to the person she used to be.
I don't want to give anything away, but I will say that this book bears out the importance of trusting your instincts. In other words, if something sounds like bs, walk away even if you don't understand why. Oh, and sometimes the most unreliable person you know might have information you need.
Life is both lonely and complicated enough- why do Russian-accented Alex and Char'a-tee have to make it even worse? And what happened in the past that was so awful that Doctor Barsheed won't let anyone tell her what happened to her until she can figure it out on her own?
As other reviewers noted, this was a story that made use of magical realism and took frequent dips into dreams and memories. However, the story was made by the fluid descriptions of the reality Mina found herself searching through, and many modern readers will be able to relate to a woman in her early forties trying to remember how she ended up in her current circumstance, why she can't do anything correctly and most importantly what happened to the person she used to be.
I don't want to give anything away, but I will say that this book bears out the importance of trusting your instincts. In other words, if something sounds like bs, walk away even if you don't understand why. Oh, and sometimes the most unreliable person you know might have information you need.
October 13, 2014
This book starts out kind of slow and confusing, partly because the main character, Mina, is confused because she is suffering from amnesia and is not real clear about what is real and what is not. I skimmed some of the first part of the book to get to the plot. Mina has a 3 year old daughter and her husband Jack travels a lot for work. They are having financial problems and bill collectors call frequently. So frequently that Mina has become phone friends with one of the bill collectors. Because her doctor has said that she should recover her memories on her own, no one will fill Mina in about her past or what happened to cause her to lose her memory. Her elderly neighbor Esther, helps her by babysitting her daughter, but the other younger neighbors do not like Esther. As her memories begin to return, Mina meets her Uncle Alex and a friend named Char'a-tee, only to learn a little while later that her uncle died two years ago. Fearing that she is losing her mind, Mina tries to dig into her past even though the doctor has told her not to. She finds more trouble than she had imagined. I liked the story once I got into it, but it had some inconsistencies and really unbelievable parts. I received this book free to review from Netgalley.
April 12, 2013
This book was hard to get into for me because I kept looking for some explanation and background on why or how the main character had lost her memory. It took me a chapter or two to realize that this explanation was part of the mystery and to relax and enjoy the ride.
Once I did, I was so pleased! This book is like a cross between chick lit (which I love) and a good mystery. It's quirky (dangerous, bank-owned dentists?). The characters are lively, the dialogue is mostly natural, and there's quite a lot of action. I found the main character relatable (maybe because I like to write and I'm a mom) and endearing.
SPOILER!: The only hang-up I have are some small points near the end when everything falls a little bit too neatly together--Uncle Alex uses Jedi mind tricks to fix the family from an elderly assassin? Uncle Alex magically paid all the home insurance? But even these things are okay because 1) they're humorous and 2) that's what I expect (and want) from a light-hearted book like this.
Hopefully there's a sequel because there are some mysteries still left unsolved--Kim's disappearance, not to mention another murderer on the loose...
Once I did, I was so pleased! This book is like a cross between chick lit (which I love) and a good mystery. It's quirky (dangerous, bank-owned dentists?). The characters are lively, the dialogue is mostly natural, and there's quite a lot of action. I found the main character relatable (maybe because I like to write and I'm a mom) and endearing.
SPOILER!: The only hang-up I have are some small points near the end when everything falls a little bit too neatly together--Uncle Alex uses Jedi mind tricks to fix the family from an elderly assassin? Uncle Alex magically paid all the home insurance? But even these things are okay because 1) they're humorous and 2) that's what I expect (and want) from a light-hearted book like this.
Hopefully there's a sequel because there are some mysteries still left unsolved--Kim's disappearance, not to mention another murderer on the loose...
November 24, 2012
I won this book in the Goodreads giveaway, what a fun way to preview new books!
This book started well, a nice story about a woman with a daughter, husband who worked too much and a memory problem. The reader is curious about the memory problem and is not given much information in the beginning. The main character herself doesn't know and no one is telling her any details, so you're left wondering when you'll find out. Pretty soon, when things start happening, it begins to be a page-turner, you get SO curious about what happened to her that you absolutely HAVE to find out! The plot is more complex than it seemed in the beginning with some twists and turns to keep you guessing.
I enjoyed the book and would recommend it as a good read.
Betty Karl, Author of Island Fever -
http://amzn.com/B009RCO02G
This book started well, a nice story about a woman with a daughter, husband who worked too much and a memory problem. The reader is curious about the memory problem and is not given much information in the beginning. The main character herself doesn't know and no one is telling her any details, so you're left wondering when you'll find out. Pretty soon, when things start happening, it begins to be a page-turner, you get SO curious about what happened to her that you absolutely HAVE to find out! The plot is more complex than it seemed in the beginning with some twists and turns to keep you guessing.
I enjoyed the book and would recommend it as a good read.
Betty Karl, Author of Island Fever -
http://amzn.com/B009RCO02G
January 11, 2013
Francine LaSala is an exceptional writer and "The Girl, The Gold Tooth and Everything" has affected me deeply. I don't think I've read a book quite like this.
Dark, intense yet also funny, this novel kept me up at night because I couldn't stop reading. LaSala weaves an intricate mystery about Mina Clark, a woman who has lost her memory and doesn't know who she is or who to trust. The secondary characters are phenomenal and the reader is never quite sure what is real until the very last page.
The characters, particularly Esther, Alex, Harriet and the hilarious Char-a'tee Pryce, are so well developed and all have secrets of their own. I could never have imagined what the ending would reveal, and I'm still reeling.
An extraordinary book by an incredible author. I highly recommend this one!
Dark, intense yet also funny, this novel kept me up at night because I couldn't stop reading. LaSala weaves an intricate mystery about Mina Clark, a woman who has lost her memory and doesn't know who she is or who to trust. The secondary characters are phenomenal and the reader is never quite sure what is real until the very last page.
The characters, particularly Esther, Alex, Harriet and the hilarious Char-a'tee Pryce, are so well developed and all have secrets of their own. I could never have imagined what the ending would reveal, and I'm still reeling.
An extraordinary book by an incredible author. I highly recommend this one!
January 14, 2013
Unique doesn't even begin to cover it, but that's the best word I can think of to describe The Girl, the Gold Tooth and Everything because it's truly unlike anything I've ever read before. A richly woven psychological drama, it'll keep you guessing right up to the end. And as I got further into it, I started to wonder what was real and what wasn't. Is she crazy or are people only trying to make her think she's crazy?
I had my own theories on what was really going on, but Francine LaSala surprised me at every turn with twists and revelations and some major shockers at the end. Mina was a delightful character - very relatable. And I loved how things like playground politics and the chrysanthemums controversy peppered the story with clever humor. Speaking of humor, Harriet was a hoot - my favorite character apart from Mina. It's a must-read, folks.
I had my own theories on what was really going on, but Francine LaSala surprised me at every turn with twists and revelations and some major shockers at the end. Mina was a delightful character - very relatable. And I loved how things like playground politics and the chrysanthemums controversy peppered the story with clever humor. Speaking of humor, Harriet was a hoot - my favorite character apart from Mina. It's a must-read, folks.
December 31, 2012
After finishing this book I am left with mixed feelings. There were several times throughout the first half that I was really confused, and I get the feeling that that was the point the author was trying to make with Mina's crazy life and stories that weren't matching up, but it was more of a frustrating confusion that made me want to put the book down and pick up a new one...BUT I'm glad that I persevered and finished it because towards the very end everything was revealed and magically worked out for the best (and who doesn't love a book with a happy ending against all odds every now and then?).
The writing was very good with some very creative characters appear throughout the story, and I will definitely be looking at other novels from this writer to give them a go.
The writing was very good with some very creative characters appear throughout the story, and I will definitely be looking at other novels from this writer to give them a go.
January 13, 2014
Are you into those artsy films and indie music? Then this weird mind trick of a book may be more suited for you than me. What a confusing ride with a character who suffers from amnesia but is getting her memories back in random assorted pieces. Like her, I was mostly lost through this book and it took a little too long for the puzzle pieces to get put all back together. A short and sweet review because this book just wasn't quite up my alley, but after looking at some other readers, this author does have a great following her truly love her books.
November 13, 2012
I absolutely loved the storyline for this one! Mina Clark cannot remember her past, has not idea if she is going crazy and more importantly her very life is in danger. With no memories, who can she turn to? Mina has to finally put her trust in someone, but will it be the right person? I enjoyed how the storyline played out and it is a fun, quick read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book courtesy of the Goodreads first-reads program.
I received a complimentary copy of this book courtesy of the Goodreads first-reads program.
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