Title: The Human Alchemy

Author: Michael Griffin

Date of First Publication: 2010

Place of Publication: Eternal Frankenstein

Type: Short Story

Characters: No Character

Themes: MAD SCIENTIST/MONSTER; QUEER FRANKENSTEIN; ANDROID; BYRONIC HERO; WOMEN WRITING MONSTERS; SYMPATHETIC MONSTER

Critical Summary: “The Human Alchemy” follows Aurye, a barmaid during her visit to the mountain home of a married couple; Reysa, an orthopedic surgeon, and Magnus Berg, a plastic surgeon. Aurye finds them as mysterious as they are alluring, Reysa, with her almost inhuman beauty, and Magnus, with his worldly knowledge. The longer she stays and the more they drink, the more Aurye feels compelled to open herself up to them and the more the Bergs reveal about themselves. Aurye’s ex-boyfriend left her after discovering something that disgusted him; Reysa was scorned by her ex-husband after Magnus recreated her face after a car accident; and Magnus’s wife left him after he went mad with fear. They come to a room with large paintings of Prometheus, the Titan who made mankind from clay, and Pandora, the first human woman. Aurye is most affected by Prometheus, the gory wound on his stomach from a crow feeling familiar to her. Their conversation breached the topic of completely recreating one’s self. Reysa tells a story of an Olympic sprinter who staged an accident that injured his legs, so Reysa could give him prosthetics and give his legs to Magnus. Reysa reveals that her hands are also not originally hers and that the couple has been serving a particular group of clientele, those who desire willful disfigurement. The couple shows Aurye their lab, where they keep the remains of the bodies that didn’t make it. They proposition her, as an attractive, likable barmaid working at a popular bar, she could bring in more customers. Aurye considers it and decides to reveal her own secret: an opening in her side, not bleeding, no wetness, just an open space in her side that never seemed to heal or be cured. Accepting their newfound relationship, the three agree to work together to re-invent themselves, again and again.

The theme of Mad Scientists is appropriate because Reysa and Magnus conduct what we could consider unethical surgeries and educate Aurye on humans’ desire to change. The idea of a Queer Frankenstein is relevant because Aurye feels attraction to the couple and a desire to literally recreate their appearances.

Administrative Notes: Isabella Tran, CSUF; Beck Serna (editing)