The Spirit Bares Its Teeth - The Library of the Uncommons

Hardcover, 387 pages

English language

Published Sept. 5, 2023 by Peachtree Publishing Company Inc..

ISBN:: 978-1-68263-611-4

Mors vincit omnia. Death conquers all.

London, 1883. The Veil between the living and dead has thinned. Violet-eyed mediums commune with spirits under the watchful eye of the Royal Speaker Society, and sixteen-year-old trans, autistic Silas Bell would rather rip out his violet eyes than become an obedient Speaker wife.

After a failed attempt to escape an arranged marriage, Silas is diagnosed with Veil sickness—a mysterious disease sending violet-eyed women into madness—and shipped away to Braxton’s Finishing School and Sanitorium. When the ghosts of missing students start begging Silas for help, he decides to reach into Braxton’s innards and expose its guts to the world—so long as the school doesn’t break him first.

Featuring an autistic trans protagonist in a historical setting, Andrew Joseph White’s much-anticipated sophomore novel does not back down from exposing the violence of the patriarchy and the harm inflicted on trans youth who …

Mors vincit omnia. Death conquers all.

London, 1883. The Veil between the living and dead has thinned. Violet-eyed mediums commune with spirits under the watchful eye of the Royal Speaker Society, and sixteen-year-old trans, autistic Silas Bell would rather rip out his violet eyes than become an obedient Speaker wife.

After a failed attempt to escape an arranged marriage, Silas is diagnosed with Veil sickness—a mysterious disease sending violet-eyed women into madness—and shipped away to Braxton’s Finishing School and Sanitorium. When the ghosts of missing students start begging Silas for help, he decides to reach into Braxton’s innards and expose its guts to the world—so long as the school doesn’t break him first.

Featuring an autistic trans protagonist in a historical setting, Andrew Joseph White’s much-anticipated sophomore novel does not back down from exposing the violence of the patriarchy and the harm inflicted on trans youth who are forced into conformity.

1 edition

Markus Gaines reviewed The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White

My Review Of "The Spirit Bares Its Teeth"

5 stars

First and foremost, I'd just like to say wow. TSBIT was a roller coaster from start to finish, especially the ending, which I'm still playing out in my mind. I loved that somebody finally learned how to write neurodivergent people RIGHT; the mannerisms and thought processes were so beautifully fleshed out, it's a testament in and of itself!

I loved Silas' characterization especially, the rabbit motif was a lovely touch, a portrayal of that ever nagging voice deep inside and what happens when we finally lose it! TSBIT was hauntingly beautiful in all of its portrayals, I especially loved how the spirits were described; the image of death and emotion personified! I liked the way the veil was described, wistful yet tangible, something that could be sliced into and torn asunder!

The plot with the groundskeeper really struck something in me, I hope he got his happy ending!

First and foremost, I'd just like to say wow. TSBIT was a roller coaster from start to finish, especially the ending, which I'm still playing out in my mind. I loved that somebody finally learned how to write neurodivergent people RIGHT; the mannerisms and thought processes were so beautifully fleshed out, it's a testament in and of itself!

I loved Silas' characterization especially, the rabbit motif was a lovely touch, a portrayal of that ever nagging voice deep inside and what happens when we finally lose it! TSBIT was hauntingly beautiful in all of its portrayals, I especially loved how the spirits were described; the image of death and emotion personified! I liked the way the veil was described, wistful yet tangible, something that could be sliced into and torn asunder!

The plot with the groundskeeper really struck something in me, I hope he got his happy ending!

Subjects

Horror
Fantasy
Historical Fiction
Queer