The Spirit Bares Its Teeth — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
A Stonewall Honor Book in Young Adult Literature!
A blood-soaked and nauseating triumph that cuts like a scalpel and reads like your darkest nightmare.
New York Times bestselling author Andrew Joseph White returns with the transgressive gothic horror of our time!
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.
A Stonewall Honor Book in Young Adult Literature
A Chicago Public Library 'Best of the Best' Book
A Locus Award Finalist
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
Frequently asked questions
Is The Spirit Bares Its Teeth appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book contains graphic descriptions of violence, including surgery and assaults against the main character and others. It is framed within the context of gothic horror, emphasizing the brutality faced by marginalized individuals. The book is described as a gothic horror with visceral and horrifying elements, including themes of body horror and psychological terror, making it suitable for older teens.
Does The Spirit Bares Its Teeth have violence?
The book contains graphic descriptions of violence, including surgery and assaults against the main character and others. It is framed within the context of gothic horror, emphasizing the brutality faced by marginalized individuals.
Does The Spirit Bares Its Teeth have scary content?
The book is described as a gothic horror with visceral and horrifying elements, including themes of body horror and psychological terror, making it suitable for older teens.
Does The Spirit Bares Its Teeth have religious themes?
The narrative includes elements of spiritualism, particularly through the concept of 'Veil sickness,' which is tied to the ability to communicate with spirits. This reflects on how spiritual beliefs intersect with societal oppression.
Does The Spirit Bares Its Teeth have racial/cultural content?
The narrative hints at racial and class-based violence, particularly in the context of the historical setting, although specific racial themes are not the central focus.
Does The Spirit Bares Its Teeth have profanity?
Frequent use of profanity is noted, averaging five or six instances of strong language per chapter, including 'f-' and 's--t.'
Does The Spirit Bares Its Teeth have climate change?
No climate themes detected in the search results.
Does The Spirit Bares Its Teeth have sexual identity?
The book includes graphic depictions of sexual violence, including implied and actual sexual assault. It addresses the violent enforcement of gender roles and the oppressive nature of Victorian-era psychiatry.
Does The Spirit Bares Its Teeth have gender roles?
The story critiques traditional gender roles, showcasing the protagonist's struggle against societal expectations that force him to conform to a female identity. It highlights the oppressive nature of these roles.
Does The Spirit Bares Its Teeth have lgbtq+ themes?
The story features Silas, a transgender autistic boy, navigating a society that enforces strict gender roles. His identity is central to the narrative, which explores the challenges faced by queer individuals in a historical context.
