Our Hideous Progeny: A Novel

by C.E. McGill

Overview

It is not the monster you must fear, but the monster it makes of men. . .

Mary is the great-niece of Victor Frankenstein. She knows her great uncle disappeared under mysterious circumstances in the Arctic, but she doesn’t know why or how. . . .

The 1850s are a time of discovery, and London is ablaze with the latest scientific theories and debates, especially when a spectacular new exhibition of dinosaur sculptures opens at the Crystal Palace. Mary is keen to make her name in this world of science alongside her geologist husband, Henry—but despite her sharp mind and sharper tongue, without wealth and connections their options are limited.

When Mary discovers some old family papers that allude to the shocking truth behind her great-uncle’s past, she thinks she may have found the key to securing her and Henry’s professional and financial future. Their quest takes them to the wilds of Scotland; to Henry’s intriguing but reclusive sister, Maisie; and to a deadly chase with a rival who is out to steal their secret.

A queer, feminist masterpiece inspired by Mary Shelley’s classic, Our Hideous Progeny is a sumptuous tale of ambition and obsession, of forbidden love and sabotage and a twisty Gothic adventure that may forever change your view of human nature.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063256798
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	05/09/2023
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	411,164
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.25(d)

About the Author

C. E. McGill is 23 years old and was born in Scotland and raised in North Carolina. Their short fiction has appeared in Fantasy Magazine and Strange Constellations, and they are a two-time finalist for the Dell Award for Undergraduate Excellence in SF/F Writing. They now live in Scotland with their family, two cats, and a growing number of fake succulents (the real ones keep dying). Our Hideous Progeny is their first novel and they have begun writing their second. 

Editorial Reviews

★ 03/20/2023

Described by debut author McGill as “Frankenstein, but, like, with dinosaurs,” this immersive blend of historical and science fiction brims with surprises and dark delights. In Victorian England, protagonist Mary discovers her great-uncle Victor Frankenstein’s life story in an old letter case. A scientist herself, she and her husband attempt to replicate and improve upon the first Frankenstein’s discoveries. Instead of revivifying a human corpse, however, they decide—in the interest of both safety and science—to reanimate a Plesiosaurus. McGill echoes Mary Shelley’s theme of the tension between morality and scientific discovery, which works well alongside a incisive exploration of women’s rights within the field of science and in Victorian society more broadly. Fiery Mary proves the perfect person to helm this tale: often full of rage, she begins to recognize her queerness as she becomes increasingly fed up with the limitations of her world. The setting, too, feels wholly authentic, making it easy to get sucked in. Readers will revel in Mary’s personal and scientific discoveries and root for her to succeed in an unfair world. (May)

Publishers Weekly

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, multilayered, and rich with enticing detail.” — Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat and The Strawberry Thief

"Compelling and utterly absorbing, OUR HIDEOUS PROGENY is 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, author of Pandora

“Exquisitely written, brimming with imagery both beautiful and shocking, this daring debut makes the rivalries of the Victorian scientific establishment thrilling and urgent, bringing us a story worthy of Mary Shelley.” — Sean Lusk, author of The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley

“A fantastic read: I felt everything about Mary, her simmering anger and her intellectual delight, so very clearly.” — Freya Marske, author of The Last Binding trilogy

"Darkly brilliant and sumptuously gothic, this atmospheric debut left me reeling." — C. J. Cooke, author of The Lighthouse Witches

"A gut busting adventure to escape into. I loved it. Loved the setting, the characters, the high stakes. What an exceptionally talented writer. Can't wait to talk about this to everyone." — Ericka Waller, author of Dog Days

“This immersive blend of historical and science fiction brims with surprises and dark delights. … an incisive exploration of women’s rights within the field of science … The setting, too, feels wholly authentic, making it easy to get sucked in. Readers will revel in Mary’s personal and scientific discoveries and root for her to succeed in an unfair world.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

From the Publisher