The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter

The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter marks the 2017 literary debut of Theodora Goss and serves as the inaugural volume in The Extraordinary Adventures of the Athena Club series.

Inspired by iconic 19th-century gothic and horror literature such as The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Frankenstein, The Island of Doctor Moreau, and Dracula, Goss offers a reinterpretation of these classics through a feminist lens. The narrative also weaves in references to the historical Jack the Ripper murders.

The story follows Mary Jekyll, daughter of the infamous Dr. Jekyll, who forms connections with the fictional daughters of renowned literary figures. Alongside characters like Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, and Frankenstein's monster, they delve into a series of murders in London while uncovering hidden family histories. At the heart of the tale lies the Athena Club, an assembly of women united in their fight against societal constraints.

The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter received the Locus Award for Best First Novel and earned a nomination for the Nebula Award for Best Novel.

Synopsis

Following her mother's passing, Mary Jekyll encounters financial difficulties. When evidence points to Edward Hyde—her father's deadly former associate—being nearby, Mary embarks on an investigation aimed at claiming a reward and alleviating her monetary woes.

Her quest introduces her to Diana, Hyde’s daughter, revealing their half-sister relationship—a revelation that challenges Mary deeply. Their pursuit intersects with Scotland Yard’s probe into a string of female homicides and brings them into contact with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, who aid in tracking Hyde. Alongside them are other "monstrous" daughters born from scientific experiments: Beatrice Rappaccini, Catherine Moreau, and Justine Frankenstein.

Their inquiry exposes The Alchemists Society, a clandestine group of unscrupulous scientists. Ultimately, these women must confront this influential organization to overcome their shared traumatic pasts.

Reception

In a starred review, Publishers Weekly hailed The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter as a "tour de force of reclaiming the narrative," commending Goss for deftly transforming a traditionally male-centric story into one where women define their own fates.

Jason Heller’s review for NPR describes it as "a fast-moving, intricately plotted mystery featuring beloved characters alongside unexpected new ones." He highlights Goss’s skillful handling of complex themes—including feminism, gender fluidity, and the dawn of modernity—with both humor and nuance.

Conversely, Kirkus Reviews expressed reservations about the novel’s heavy dependence on its source material and literary techniques that hinder character depth. Despite an intriguing concept, they felt the narrative "does not fully come to life."

Themes

Leah Schnelbach from Tor.com identifies Strange Case as "a feminist reinterpretation of Victorian-era themes," exploring issues such as class dynamics, social mobility, decorum, and financial struggles—and their enduring effects on women’s experiences.

Goss initially examined why numerous 19th-century mad scientists created or destroyed female monsters during her doctoral studies and in her 2010 short story "The Mad Scientist’s Daughter," published in Strange Horizons. She draws attention to the harsh treatment inflicted upon these female beings and questions why women were often targeted. Her characters embody transformation aimed at advancing humanity—mothers passing down powers to future generations confronting rapid societal change. Unlike their isolated creators confined to laboratories or castles, Goss’s women unite to claim agency over their lives and put an end to violence inflicted upon them.

Characters

The female protagonists each represent distinct aspects of women's experiences within a patriarchal society. Goss integrates their viewpoints as narrative interludes, which are documented by Catherine Moreau.

• Mary Jekyll: An English gentlewoman and the daughter of scientist Dr. Henry Jekyll, Mary delves into her father's enigmatic past, exploring his link to Mr. Hyde as well as her mother’s involvement. Methodical and rational, she collaborates with Sherlock Holmes and brings together the "monstrous" women to establish the Athena Club, creating a chosen family.
• Diana Hyde: As Mary’s half-sister and offspring of Mr. Hyde, Diana embodies defiance and engages in criminal behavior, openly rejecting societal conventions. She was raised in a convent with covert assistance from Mary’s mother.
• Beatrice Rappaccini: The daughter of Dr. Giacomo Rappaccini, Beatrice grew up surrounded by poisonous plants, which rendered her both immune to toxins and inherently dangerous.
• Catherine Moreau: A creation of Doctor Moreau fashioned from a puma, Catherine appears human but retains feline characteristics due to incomplete transformation.
• Justine Frankenstein: Designed as a companion for Frankenstein’s original creature, Justine escapes captivity and allies herself with Catherine.
• Mrs. Poole: The Jekyll household’s housekeeper who, despite limited means, provides steadfast support to Mary and her allies.
• Sherlock Holmes: The famed detective encounters Mary amid his investigation into the Whitechapel murders, intersecting with her inquiries into the Alchemists Society.
• Dr. Watson: Holmes’ medical colleague and investigative partner who assists Mary and the group.
• Edward Hyde: The sinister alter ego of Dr. Henry Jekyll.
• Adam: Frankenstein’s creature who becomes fixated on Justine and is determined to claim her as his mate against her wishes.

Awards

• Locus Award for Best First Novel (2018)
• Audie Award (2018)
• Lariat Award (2018)
• Finalist for the Nebula Award for Best Novel (2017)
• Finalist for the Compton Crook Award (2018)
• Finalist for the World Fantasy Award (2018)

Adaptations

In November 2018, Strange Case was announced for development as a television series on The CW, with A. J. Marechal adapting the script. This project represents the inaugural screen adaptation of Goss' work.

External links

• The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter at Simon & Schuster