Book Review: Poor Things by Alasdair Gray

Title: Poor Things
Author: Alasdair Gray
Genre: Literary Fiction, Literary Satire
Pages: 337
Date Published: 2023
Link to Buy: Amazon

Have you ever picked up a book expecting one thing and then—bam!—it hits you with something completely different? That was my experience with Poor Things by Alasdair Gray. I went in thinking it’d be a straightforward Victorian pastiche, maybe a little gothic, maybe a little quirky.

What I got instead was a wild, brain-bending ride that juggles satire, romance, and a good ol’ fashioned existential crisis. And I loved every second of it.

So, what’s Poor Things about? On the surface, it’s the story of Bella Baxter, a woman who—get this—is brought back to life by an eccentric scientist named Godwin Baxter.

If you’re getting Frankenstein vibes, you’re not far off. But instead of horror, we get something much funnier, weirder, and more deeply political.

Bella, essentially a grown woman with the mind of a child (or is she?), begins to explore the world, falling in love, questioning authority, and, most importantly, challenging the rigid social structures of Victorian society.

Now, let’s talk about Alasdair Gray’s writing style. If you’ve never read him before, be prepared for something delightfully odd.

His prose is sharp and witty, filled with dark humor and moments of pure absurdity.

He also does this thing where he plays with form—there are footnotes, multiple unreliable narrators, and even illustrations (because why not?). It’s the kind of book that keeps you on your toes.

Just when you think you know what’s going on, Gray throws in a new twist that makes you question everything.

Speaking of questioning everything, Poor Things is one of those books that messes with your head. At first, it seems like a straightforward (if bizarre) tale of reanimation and adventure, but as you keep reading, it becomes clear that Gray is toying with narrative itself.

The novel is framed as the memoir of Dr. Archibald McCandless, a man hopelessly in love with Bella.

But—plot twist—there’s another version of the story buried within the text that completely undermines his account. Who’s telling the truth? Does it even matter?

And let’s not forget the social commentary. Poor Things isn’t just a fun, slightly unhinged romp through Victorian Europe—it’s a fierce critique of capitalism, misogyny, and classism.

Bella, with her fresh perspective and refusal to conform, exposes the hypocrisy of the society she’s thrown into. Her journey, both hilarious and heartbreaking, serves as a reminder of how far we’ve come (and how far we still have to go).

I have to admit, there were moments when I had to put the book down just to process what I’d read. Not because it was confusing—though Gray does enjoy a good narrative puzzle—but because it made me think.

About power. About autonomy. About who gets to control history and how stories are shaped by those in charge. Heavy stuff, right? But don’t worry—it’s all wrapped up in a package that’s wickedly entertaining.

Now, would I recommend Poor Things to everyone? Not necessarily.

If you like your books neatly packaged with clear-cut answers, this might not be for you.

But if you enjoy a novel that plays with form, makes you laugh while also making you deeply uncomfortable, and leaves you with more questions than answers, then yes—absolutely, 100% yes.

So, what do you think? Have you read Poor Things? If not, are you intrigued? Let’s chat in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!