What Lies Beneath

Greenteeth and Bog Queen are very different novels — one fantasy and one realistic. One is a jolly adventure while the other is a sober exploration of science and femininity. On the other hand, the authors are both fascinated by what lies beneath the surface. In Greenteeth, Jenny lives underwater and draws her power from the lake. In Bog Queen, a body is found in the moss of a contested peat bog. The citizens are divided on whether to preserve it, explore it, or exploit it.

I think the two would make a great pair to contrast in a book group or in your own mind. What book pairs delight you?

Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill (2025)

Jenny is a magical being who lives in the water by an English town. When a body is thrown into her watery home, she rescues it and, very slowly, befriends it. The two team up to defeat an evil power in the town, which leads them on an adventure spanning the British Isles, facing magical friends and foes. A sort of cozy adventure story for those raised on Pixar’s Brave.

Bog Queen by Anna North (2025)

North’s pensive novel is told from three perspectives: a scientist called to identify remains found in an English bog, the woman who was buried, and the communal voice of the bog itself. The book depicts the conflict between science and nature, asking whether preserving is more important than discovery. It also delves into how a young woman comes into her own.