Reviews

The Cadaver of Gideon Wyck by Alexander Laing

poisoned_icecream's review against another edition

challenging dark informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

David Saunders is the narrator and protagonist of this novel, but it's not about him, rather the man he works for named Gideon Wyck. Gideon Wyck is famous but despised by many students and professors at the college he works at. It is believed he performed an unnecessary amputation a patient, and it is later revealed he was behaving unethically with his female patients. When he turns up dead, it becomes a mystery as to who could have murdered him.

This is a great classic scifi horror novel. The characters are compelling and the descriptions regarding embalming and autopsies were very interesting. All the scientific terms went over my head, and yet I still very much enjoyed this book. I'm deeply appreciative towards Valancourt Books for making this available for a modern audience.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, and Ableism

wimzie's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

shane_tiernan's review against another edition

4.0

I bought this book after it was suggested by a friend, who I think got it as a suggestion from a book of suggestions. That was probably 10-15 years ago. I was worried that it might be really cheesy considering it was written in 1934, but it turned out to be a lot of fun and it was definitely filled with some pretty twisted ideas. I loved the language and the mystery and the footnotes (which are left out of more modern printings).

It's really more of a mystery than a horror story, but there's some creepy events and possible "supernatural" occurrences that bring it into the horror genre.

joshgauthier's review against another edition

A curious blend of horror, medical thriller, and murder mystery, The Cadaver of Gideon Wyck does show its age in some regards, but it is nevertheless an intriguing story of science and superstition gone wrong mingled with a complex plot where it seems that everyone has something to hide. The Maine setting and the stylings of a real-life manuscript add further flavor, making the novel a generally interesting journey on the whole.