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A review by the_wistful_word_witch
The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Spirit Bares Its Teeth... and sinks them into your throat, taking you along this dark journey into the pit of hell and out again. I listened to the audiobook version in less than a day and couldn't walk away. Raphael Corkhill does an AMAZING job narrating this fictional account of a transman trying to survive a conversion sanatorium and bring down the evil Spiritualist organisation behind it in Victorian England.
This is ultimately a story of triumph, of self-acceptance, and of finding your family. While being an incredible story with so much richness, and true horror, both real and paranormal, it is extremely heavy when it comes to LGBTQIA+ and women's rights and how they were treated in this era. This isn't a book for the faint of heart, even though it does have a happy ending.
This is ultimately a story of triumph, of self-acceptance, and of finding your family. While being an incredible story with so much richness, and true horror, both real and paranormal, it is extremely heavy when it comes to LGBTQIA+ and women's rights and how they were treated in this era. This isn't a book for the faint of heart, even though it does have a happy ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Deadnaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Dysphoria
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy