A novel of several parts set mainly around EUROPE
Victorian Gothic novel set across ENGLAND / SCOTLAND
26th March 2026
Our Hideous Progeny by C E McGill, Victorian gothic novel set across England / Scotland
I am grateful to have received a review copy of Our Hideous Progeny by C E McGill. The cover art is gorgeous, but I will admit that I wouldn’t have picked up this Victorian Gothic novel based on the title. And that would have been a mistake! The title turns out to be a quote from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, which is in turn the work that inspired the story. Not only that, the protagonist in McGill’s novel, Mary Brown, is a member of the Frankenstein family. The book has strong feminist themes, exploring Victorian attitudes to women in the world of the emerging sciences. This is couched in a fascinating tale of an ambitious young couple and their fantastic creation.
Mary Brown is a young woman with few advantages in life. Orphaned and a survivor of a loveless childhood, she is determined to have a better life. Mary fondly remembers a childhood friendship in the Isle of Wight with Catherine, a girl who comes to live next door with her aunt and uncle, Mr and Mrs Jamsetjee. They encourage Mary’s interest in fossils and natural history. Mary escapes her unhappy childhood home by eloping to marry Henry Sutherland, a young scientist working in London. The pair work together, with Mary providing the illustrations for Henry’s descriptions of ancient plants and animals. Both Henry and Mary have strong opinions, and they aren’t afraid to express them. The strength of their convictions leads to them being black balled by those with power and influence in the scientific community. When they fall on hard times, necessity is the mother of invention. Inspired by the story of her great uncle’s research, Mary suggests a way to make their mark as scientists and save their careers.
McGill has created some fascinating characters and the dynamics between them create an additional layer of tension in the book. There’s a whole range of emotions, from the constant bickering of the young couple to the intense friendships Mary forms. It’s easy to empathise with Mary’s frustration at being considered less in Victorian society because she is a woman, and the anger she directs at specific individuals.
Settings in the book range from London’s docklands and seaside Northumberland to the Isle of Wight and a neglected country house near Inverness. Although there are some detailed pastoral descriptions, the focus is mainly on interiors descriptions and on furthering the plot. I admire the way in which the author manages to describe the work of the scientists in a clear and fascinating way. The story is given authenticity by including scientific facts and real-life historical figures. The philosophical discussion about the application of Mary and Henry’s discoveries, and scientific ethics in general, is a continuing debate even today. There’s also a fair sprinkling of humour to add lighter moments along the way. A few modern Americanisms and spelling infelicities have crept through but that’s not enough to spoil anyone’s enjoyment.
In summary, not only would I recommend this book, I’d urge you to seek it out, especially if you’re a fan of Victorian Gothic, fantasy and suspense novels.
Sue for the TripFiction Team
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