Poor Things

One of Alasdair Gray's most brilliant creations, Poor Things is a postmodern revision of Frankenstein
that replaces the traditional monster with Bella Baxter—a beautiful
young erotomaniac brought back to life with the brain of an infant.
Godwin Baxter's scientific ambition to create the perfect companion is
realized when he finds the drowned body of Bella, but his dream is
thwarted by Dr. Archibald McCandless's jealous love for Baxter's
creation.


The hilarious tale of love and scandal that ensues would be "the
whole story" in the hands of a lesser author (which in fact it is, for
this account is actually written by Dr. McCandless). For Gray, though,
this is only half the story, after which Bella (a.k.a. Victoria
McCandless) has her own say in the matter.


Satirizing the classic Victorian novel, Poor Things is a
hilarious political allegory and a thought-provoking duel between the
desires of men and the independence of women, from one of Scotland's
most accomplished authors.