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A review by chelsevie
Our Hideous Progeny by C.E. McGill
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Favourite book of the year?! Of the last 3? Can't think of anything that could top it.
In the Authors Note McGill explains how she initially pitched this book as 'Frankenstein, but, like, with dinosaurs...'
Add to that - make it Feminist AF with a gorgeous queer subplot and one of the most captivating and relatable protagonists I've come across in a long time.
From the voice of Mary Sutherland (Great Neice of Victor Frankenstein), an orphaned bastard with a sharp mind for science and an even sharper tongue struggling to be taken seriously for her work in 1850's Britain and desperate to have her place in the 'boys club' that is scientific society.
When she discovers her great uncles research, assured of her own capabilities and intelligence, she sees a light at the end of the dark and long tunnel of insignifance and resolves to create a monster of her own.
Beautifully written with a cast of fully realised characters and a unique alteration to the great Frankenstein experiment, this book had me reeling and gasping aloud.
I'm so impressed that this is McGills debut, and at such a young age. Much like Shelley herself.
In the Authors Note McGill explains how she initially pitched this book as 'Frankenstein, but, like, with dinosaurs...'
Add to that - make it Feminist AF with a gorgeous queer subplot and one of the most captivating and relatable protagonists I've come across in a long time.
From the voice of Mary Sutherland (Great Neice of Victor Frankenstein), an orphaned bastard with a sharp mind for science and an even sharper tongue struggling to be taken seriously for her work in 1850's Britain and desperate to have her place in the 'boys club' that is scientific society.
When she discovers her great uncles research, assured of her own capabilities and intelligence, she sees a light at the end of the dark and long tunnel of insignifance and resolves to create a monster of her own.
Beautifully written with a cast of fully realised characters and a unique alteration to the great Frankenstein experiment, this book had me reeling and gasping aloud.
I'm so impressed that this is McGills debut, and at such a young age. Much like Shelley herself.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death and Misogyny