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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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    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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7 people found this helpful

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

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

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

Social commentary

I liked the social commentary on women, wives, nurses, classism, science & education vs money & politics.

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

Amazing storytelling

This novel was more than a single story—it was a three dimensional look into the imaginative, figurative, and literal journey of the mind and body. An excellent read—I am unsure if the film will do it justice, but I understand why one would be entranced by the work to attempt it. 10/10 recommend!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Original, smart, twisted

Inspired by Shelley’s Frankenstein, this novel is still original in its style, commentary, humor, and narration. I just finished and want to start over and enjoy it again! I will watch the movie but read that they mess with the ending, and the ending of the book is divine.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great read and Narration!

What an original and creative story. I hope the movie lives up to the book. I enjoyed the narration so much.

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2 people found this helpful