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Poor Things  By  cover art

Poor Things

By: Alasdair Gray
Narrated by: Russ Bain, Kathryn Drysdale
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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

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What listeners say about Poor Things

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Originality

I enjoyed the liberated thought and freedom physically and mentally that Bell demanded. The combination of women’s lib and love

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The strangeness of the story is great

Nothing to dislike at all completely enjoyably to listen to
The accents on the readers was perfect
Story much more I. Depth from movie
Loved all the new uses of words and the way all the work was worded
Amazing performance by the readers

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

No complaints

The complete work, capable and subtle narrator- I have been waiting for this! Now do LANARK!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

intelligent and imaginative

enjoyed the story, it made one feel engaged and empathetic towards the characters. performance was well done as you can imagine the females and males discussing the meaningful passages.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not Particularly Great

I got through it but found this book disappointing. Perhaps a second read will bring more out. The movie must take a lot of liberties as the book is not too amusing. There is a dark side which is somewhat interesting. Your mileage may vary.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

It was an interesting story…

The story was interesting, but it was hard to follow in the beginning and the end of the book.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fun

Structurally different from the movie, this is a fun listen. The narrative devices are not new, but effective for this story.

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2 people found this helpful