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, 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

Publisher Review

In this gothic adventure, debut novelist McGill builds on Shelley's iconic story by adding sharp-minded female protagonist Mary, who sets out to discover the truth about her great-uncle Victor Frankenstein's disappearance in the Arctic. * STYLIST, 'The best new feminist retellings of classic stories to read in 2023' * McGill's prose is rich and atmospheric, perfectly capturing the eerie and foreboding tone of the Gothic tradition. The characters are complex and layered . . . Our Hideous Progeny is a masterful work of Gothic horror that will leave readers on the edge of their seat. * GLAMOUR * Evocatively and compassionately, Our Hideous Progeny seeks a way to tell the stories of those whose tales cannot fit in one book, those poor creatures who remain lost or forgotten * NEW YORKER * Our Hideous Progeny takes inspiration from Mary Shelley's masterpiece along with the Victorian fascination with scientific innovation and the prehistoric world. This wonderful debut evolves into a gripping Gothic tale of grief and ambition, passion and intrigue. * JESS KIDD, author of THE NIGHT SHIP * A wonderful book; dark, passionate, multi-layered and rich with enticing detail. * JOANNE HARRIS, author of CHOCOLAT and THE STRAWBERRY THIEF *