Poor Things

By: Alasdair Gray

Narrated by: Russ Bain, Kathryn Drysdale

Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of the Whitbread Novel Award and the Guardian Fiction Prize

A life without freedom to choose is not worth having.

Godwin Baxter's scientific ambition to create the perfect companion is realized when he finds the drowned body of the beautiful Bella, who he brings back to life in a Frankenstein-esque feat. But his dream is thwarted by Dr. Archibald McCandless's jealous love for his creation...

But what does Bella think?

This story of true love and scientific daring whirls the listeners from the private operating-theatres of late-Victorian Glasgow through aristocratic casinos, low-life Alexandria and a Parisian bordello, reaching an interrupted climax in a Scottish church.

'A magnificently brisk, funny, dirty, brainy book' London Review of Books

'Visionary, ornate and outrageous' The Independent

'Witty and delightfully written' New York Times

'A brilliant marriage of technique, intelligence, and art.' Kirkus Reviews

©1992 Alasdair Gray (P)2023 W. F. Howes Ltd

Fiction or Nonfiction I must know!

I found this book because I don’t think I will get to see the movie. I have enjoyed the book. I want to know if it’s fiction or nonfiction but do not know. It takes twists I did not expect which is rare for me. I love that they have a female and male voice. It helps to know who is speaking. The book is no where near what I was expecting from the trailer to the movie. The book is way better than I feel the movie can be. Spoiler alert: it gives off “Fight Club” vibes that is funny in how they twisted it.

The narration was superb

I just didn’t care for the story line much. Although it highlighted the civilization and its mores , this story left me flat

Starts off great ends very slowly

I I loved how each character immediately drew me into their world, but towards the end of the book, it became too lengthy and complex.

The honesty and beauty in which the narrator perceived each tidbit that makes up this story. Thank You

I wasn't super fond of how Bella completely changed the whole story in a couple of end chapters.
After the story being told one way for 27 chapters, it was quite jarring. It felt as if this beautifully cohesive story was unraveled and dark, instead of exciting, surprising, a love story of many types( ie: romantic love, intimate love w/o sex,love between parent and child, love of animals and passions re: career, fetish, travel, and truly living.
All of that gone with a cold dark shadow cast upon the characters, with a couple of momentary spots of warmth.

I'm so confused

So was it....but I thought...what a strange story...I'm going to I think about this one for a while.

Oh….

So honestly I’m not sure what I expected. Maybe more “imagining Emma Stone”. There wasn’t so much of that.
I didn’t watch the film but I saw trailers. The book was interesting and I recommend it, but drop any ideas of what you might experience. It won’t be what you’re expecting.
It had more “feminism” and “socialism” talk in it than I expected. (A plus for me, just surprising).

I’m not good at following broken up timelines or things that jump around so that was a little difficult but I still endorse listening to it. You might have to pause and let things sink in, or note where you’re at so you can go back and try to relisten (or NOT.. I didn’t lol).
It’s just one of those books where I finished it and I’m going “huh….” (But in a mostly good way)

Good for a while

The story has beautiful components and I’d recommend it to friends. However, I found it nearly impossible to like or care for in some sections. A Frankensteinesque piece of writing: useful bits shoved together to make 1 story. Good news is, it is acceptable.

A magnificent tale, true or false!

Poor Things is a masterpiece of contemporary literature in a suit of Victorian science fiction. There is a simplicity to Alasdair Gray's story that is often lacking in today's, yet meaningful like no other. I'll admit, I went into it knowing next to nothing, expecting nothing, which is probably why I enjoyed it so much.

The very best since Frankenstein itself.

This book is absolutely phenomenal! The writing is beautifully twisted in all the right ways. Narration is absolutely wonderful. And the history is accurate. I know some people said they found the book confusing - even some who weren’t sure if it was a true story (spoiler, it’s not) - I did not. It’s one of the best books I’ve read in a long while. And in the end you decide what you choose to believe of our characters. I can’t wait to give it a second listen…and buy the physical book.

A decent listen

I enjoyed the book and had high hopes for the movie. The book allowed imagination to take place when picturing the different locals and characters.