Poor Things
Book description
What strange secret made rich, beautiful, tempestuous Bella Baxter irresistible to the poor Scottish medical student Archie McCandless? Was it her mysterious origin in the home of his monstrous friend Godwin Baxter, the genius whose voice could perforate eardrums? This story of true love and scientific daring whirls the reader…
Why read it?
2 authors picked Poor Things as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Recently adapted as a film by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone, Alasdair Gray’s novel of birth and creation is another example of the complicated and horrific birth stories that I find so fascinating.
When the dead body of a young, pregnant woman is pulled from the River Clyde in Glasgow, a local scientist, Godwin Baxter, takes it upon himself to create a new life, by installing the unborn baby’s brain in its mother’s head and bringing the new creation to life.
Gray’s grisly premise leads to a satire on education and complacency in light of social injustice. It's funny,…
From Anna's list on body horror birth.
Seems, at first, to be a rehash of Frankenstein crossed with Rashomon. But that doesn’t even scratch the surface of a deep, deep novel with a stunning twist that negates everything you think you know about all the main characters. As a Scot, I love the fact that it perfectly encapsulates the idea of Caledonian Antisyzygy (you’ll have to look it up!) Read it before the Hollywood movie comes out next year.
From Jan-Andrew's list on absolutely crazy plots.
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