The Spirit Bares Its Teeth
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The Spirit Bares Its Teeth
New York Times bestselling author Andrew Joseph White returns with the transgressive gothic horror of our time! Mors vincit omnia. Death conquers all.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! DescriptionThe Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White is a compelling and gothic tale set against the eerie backdrop of London in 1883. The Veil separating the living and the dead has grown perilously thin. In this world, violet-eyed mediums, under the strict surveillance of the Royal Speaker Society, communicate with spirits. Sixteen-year-old Silas Bell, a trans and autistic youth, rebels against the societal norms that demand he become an obedient Speaker wife. The thought of such conformity is so repugnant to him that he'd rather gouge out his own violet eyes.
Silas's life takes a drastic turn after he unsuccessfully attempts to flee from an arranged marriage. Diagnosed with the mysterious Veil sickness—a terrifying affliction that drives violet-eyed women to madness—he is banished to Braxton's Finishing School and Sanatorium. The institution cloaks its sinister practices behind its pristine walls, but Silas soon discovers that the school harbours dark secrets. When the distressed spirits of missing students begin to implore Silas for aid, he realises he must unearth and expose the malevolent workings of Braxton's. Confronting these horrors becomes an urgent mission of survival, lest the school breaks him completely.
With an autistic trans protagonist leading the narrative, White’s sophomore novel is unapologetic in its critique of patriarchal violence and the detrimental impact of enforced conformity on transgender youth. The blend of historical fiction with intense, gothic horror creates a uniquely visceral reading experience, making the book both a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of identity and resistance.
Honours and Awards:
- A Stonewall Honor Book in Young Adult Literature
- A Chicago Public Library 'Best of the Best' Book
- A Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Book of the Year
- A BCCB Blue Ribbon Book
- A Booklist Editors' Choice
- A Shelf Awareness Best Book of the Year
- A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
The Spirit Bares Its Teeth is not just a story; it is a bold, blood-soaked and nightmarish triumph that resonates with readers long after the last page is turned. Andrew Joseph White, a New York Times bestselling author, has deftly crafted a transgressive gothic horror novel that pries open the darkest corners of societal norms, laying bare the cruelties inflicted upon those who dare to defy them. This unsettling yet riveting tale demands to be read and remembered.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White has received positive reviews for its visceral, incisive prose and richly developed world. The book masterfully explores themes important to trans and autistic teens, making the story both empowering and unsettlingly horrific. Characters are deeply complex, creating a sympathetic and gripping narrative that readers find riveting and emotionally impactful.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781682636114
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers,U.S.
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 05 September 2023
Country: United States
Imprint: Peachtree Publishers
Audience: Teenage
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 33.0mm
Width: 139.0mm
Height: 211.0mm
Weight: 465g
Pages: 400
Collections
About the Author
Andrew Joseph White is a queer, trans author from Virginia, where he grew up falling in love with monsters and wishing he could be one too. He received his MFA in Creative Writing from George Mason University in 2022 and has a habit of cuddling random street cats. Andrew writes about trans kids with claws and fangs, and what happens when they bite back.
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