A review by ivi_reads_books
The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Andrew Joseph White’s The Spirit Bares Its Teeth is beautifully written, intense, and deeply unsettling. Set in 1800s England, it offers a harrowing look at how trans people were pathologized and confined, themes that sadly still resonate today. The story follows an autistic, trans boy trapped in a brutal institution, fighting for survival, freedom, and the right to exist as himself. 

The medical horror is visceral—at times, too much for me—but it effectively underscores the cruelty of the world he’s up against. Despite the darkness, there’s a strong undercurrent of resilience and hope, especially in the way the protagonist slowly finds his people and his voice. 

A gripping, emotional read that’s equal parts historical, gothic, and deeply personal. 
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