Our Hideous Progeny
Darkly provocative and sumptuously gothic, a brilliant twist on Frankenstein
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
A gripping gothic adventure inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The perfect spooky season read for fans of Shirley Jackson, Weyward by Emilia Hart and Rosie Andrews' The Leviathan.
'Darkly brilliant and sumptuously gothic, this atmospheric debut left me reeling' C.J. Cooke, bestselling author of THE LIGHTHOUSE WITCHES
‘A masterful work of Gothic horror that will leave readers on the edge of their seat.’ GLAMOUR
SHORTLISTED FOR THE BETTY TRASK PRIZE *THE WILBUR SMITH ADVENTURE WRITING PRIZE* EDMUND WHITE DEBUT PRIZE*THE LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD* LONGLISTED FOR THE HWA DEBUT PRIZE
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Mary is the great-niece of Victor Frankenstein.
She knows her great uncle disappeared in mysterious circumstances in the Arctic, but she doesn't know why or how.
The 1850s is a time of discovery and London is ablaze with the latest scientific theories and debates. Mary, with a sharp mind and a sharper tongue, is keen to make her name in this world of science. But as a woman without wealth and connections, her options are limited.
The comes the discovery - among some old family papers, Mary finds notes that allude to the shocking truth behind her great-uncle's past. But might they also hold the key to her future?
Mary's quest takes her to the wilds of Scotland, an alluring ally, and a deadly chase with a rival who is out to steal her secret...
Deliciously gothic, inventive, queer, this subversive twist on a classic tale brims with adventure.
Praise for Our Hideous Progeny:
'Compelling and utterly absorbing ... an artfully crafted debut that echoes the dark essence of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein while maintaining a fascinating originality all of its own' Susan Stokes-Chapman, bestselling author of PANDORA
'A wonderful book; dark, passionate, multi-layered' Joanne Harris, bestselling author of CHOCOLAT
'Exquisitely written... a story worthy of Mary Shelley' Sean Lusk, bestselling author of THE SECOND SIGHT OF ZACHARY CLOUDESLEY
'A gripping Gothic tale of grief and ambition, passion and intrigue' Jess Kidd, author of THE HAUNTING SEASON and THE WINTER SPIRITS
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Described by debut author McGill as "Frankenstein, but, like, with dinosaurs," this immersive blend of historical and science fiction brims with surprises and dark delights. In Victorian England, protagonist Mary discovers her great-uncle Victor Frankenstein's life story in an old letter case. A scientist herself, she and her husband attempt to replicate and improve upon the first Frankenstein's discoveries. Instead of revivifying a human corpse, however, they decide—in the interest of both safety and science—to reanimate a Plesiosaurus. McGill echoes Mary Shelley's theme of the tension between morality and scientific discovery, which works well alongside a incisive exploration of women's rights within the field of science and in Victorian society more broadly. Fiery Mary proves the perfect person to helm this tale: often full of rage, she begins to recognize her queerness as she becomes increasingly fed up with the limitations of her world. The setting, too, feels wholly authentic, making it easy to get sucked in. Readers will revel in Mary's personal and scientific discoveries and root for her to succeed in an unfair world.
