You Weren’t Meant to Be Human
I am trying to read more diversely, both thematically and for characters with very different lived experiences to my own…which led me to You Weren’t Meant to Be Human by Andrew Joseph White., and it delivered hard.
Crane, a neurodivergent trans man living in West Virginia, has found a haven in a community of followers of the Hive - a parasitic alien organism (or collective?) that allows its followers to eke out an existence in exchange for loyalty and food (spoiler: like the classic Soylent Green, it’s people.)
Even when he was a girl, Crane knew he did not want kids and is devastated when he gets pregnant - especially since he lives in a state where abortion is legally considered murder. On top of that, the Hive wants the baby and has demanded that he carry it to term.
Part folk horror, bigger part body horror, You Weren’t Meant to Be Human is a beautiful, brutal read. I was uncomfortable almost immediately as blurred (or non-existent?) consent lines were crossed in the opening paragraphs (see note on content warnings below) - and that feeling never totally left.
Sometimes my spouse will ask me if I’m “enjoying” a movie or book, and I will say to him, “I don’t know if enjoy is the right word, but I am glad I’m watching (or reading) it.” You Weren’t Meant to Be Human is a deeply emotional story about being othered, about trying to find your place and your people and your self, about having not only your world but also your body being taken over against your will. Even without the intentional visceral violence of varied sorts, it doesn’t make for a comfortable read - but, boy, is it an effective one.
Content warnings: Thank you to the author for including clear, specific content warnings on his website and other places where the book is referenced. https://andrewjosephwhite.com/content-warnings%3A-ywmtbh
Words I liked: “even the worms won’t contradict an Appalachian granny.”
Note: Can we just talk about the book’s title for a second? Heartbreaking.
TL;DR You Weren’t Meant to Be Human, Andrew Joseph White’s adult debut? I hated it. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ When are we getting the next one?
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review. Pub. date: 9/9/25
Support your favorite indie bookstore (and give us both 20% off if it’s your first purchase) by using my link at https://refer.bookshop.org/candidanorwood.
