Introduction and Chapter 1, The City Under Siege Summary

Angela Carter is a celebrated author who lived in London and taught in several universities, including Brown University in Rhode Island. The Infernal Desire Machines of Doctor Hoffman is one of Angela Carter's most original works.

Introduction. Desiderio is now an old man, looking back on his life with a sense of regret. Desiderio acknowledges that he is known as a hero for ending the war against Dr. Hoffman, but he had never wanted to be a hero and he regrets that his fame came at the expense of the one woman he would ever truly desire, Albertina Hoffman.

The City Under Siege. Desiderio is the son of a prostitute of Indian heritage and was raised by a group of nuns in an orphanage. Due to his Indian heritage, Desiderio has...