Josie Jaffrey asked Gail Carriger:

I've been reading 'Stiff' by Mary Roach. She talks about a Dr Duncan Macdougall of Haverhill, Massachusetts, who, in 1907, began a series of experiments to weight the human soul. I realised that he must be the inspiration for your Mr Macdougall in Soulless. How did you come across his work?

Gail Carriger Yes indeed, you are right. I came across him during a bought of research I did on science and the soul when I was first writing Soulless. That's also where I first encountered the name Tarabotti. I find the intersection of scientific inquiry and belief in the soul very interesting, since it highlights a time when science and religion were not regarded as opposites.

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Huge fan. Was there a particular source that introduced you to steampunk such as a book or film? My introduction to steampunk was reading the first Parasol Protectorates books by you. I'm interested to know how you decided to write this genre, which you do quite well. Thank you.

Sara asked Gail Carriger:

Hi Gail, I'm reading and loving the Parasol Protectorate series. I also love the mangas. The drawings are beautiful! Will they publish also vol.4 and 5? Thank you so much for your great characters and stories :)

A Goodreads user asked Gail Carriger:

Dear Gail, did I spot your cat's twin in Prudence? And by the way, I wish Goodreads would permit to give kittens instead of stars as a rating, cause I thought Prudence deserved a box full of kittens.

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I've been reading 'Stiff' by Mary Roach. She talks about a Dr Duncan Macdougall of Haverhill, Massachusetts, who, in 1907, began a series of experiments to weight the human soul. I realised that he must be the inspiration for your Mr Macdougall in Soulless. How did you come across his work?

More Answered Questions

Huge fan. Was there a particular source that introduced you to steampunk such as a book or film? My introduction to steampunk was reading the first Parasol Protectorates books by you. I'm interested to know how you decided to write this genre, which you do quite well. Thank you.

Hi Gail, I'm reading and loving the Parasol Protectorate series. I also love the mangas. The drawings are beautiful! Will they publish also vol.4 and 5? Thank you so much for your great characters and stories :)

Dear Gail, did I spot your cat's twin in Prudence? And by the way, I wish Goodreads would permit to give kittens instead of stars as a rating, cause I thought Prudence deserved a box full of kittens.

About Goodreads Q&A