Halloween is by far the best holiday. Bad group costumes, free candy, watching scary movies, screaming every four seconds and, of course, ghost stories. So, this October, I have one incredible book to review: “The Spirit Bares Its Teeth” by Andrew Joseph White.
When I tried to think of a tagline genre for this book, I basically hit a wall. It’s not quite romantasy. It’s not quite horror. This book cannot be classified with one quick word. So, I combined a few: This is a politically charged historical fantasy horror novel. Those are a bunch of words with many different meanings. So, let’s unpack them one by one while I rave about this jaw-droppingly incredible book.
The historical fantasy side is pretty easy to explain. The book is set in Victorian London, wherein trained people can summon and commune with ghosts. For the political part, women are not allowed to summon ghosts. Women who summon ghosts go “mad” and are sent to asylums, where they are “treated.” And 16-year-old transgender boy Silas (known to the rest of the world as Gloria) has just been sent to one of these asylums. The ghostly worldbuilding also ties into a subplot about the dead: Who is allowed to rest in peace?
Whose deaths matter and whose don’t and why? There is also a heavy emphasis on medical malpractice, something that still permeates our world today. Words cannot explain how jarring this book is. It is, for lack of a better term, violent.
The mistreatment of people deemed “other” in Victorian England is depicted in stark clarity. There is extensive, graphic medical gore and sexual assault (not graphically depicted, but certainly there). The main character has suicidal and self-harming thoughts and tendencies. I am understating all of this; this book is gruesome.
But, as the author himself says in his introduction, it is not a necessary procedure. If you don’t want to read it, if you feel uncomfortable with the topics or the horror aspect of the book, you don’t have to read it.
But if you’re intrigued, please read it! It is a genuinely fantastic book. White’s writing is beautiful. His use of metaphors is impeccable, drawing you into Silas’ mind. The characters are three-dimensional, and they feel alive and real.
Despite the time period, their fears, hopes and personalities feel relatable and modern. Even the ones you fear and hate could very well be people in present-day America.
This book will not appeal to everyone. Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it to middle schoolers unless you’re OK with the graphic and violent content. But if it does appeal to you, and if you’re looking for a horror ghost story for spooky season, then, enjoy!
