Résumé
The novel tells the story of an English nobleman, Lord Ewald, who is heartbroken over his engagement to a beautiful but spiritually empty woman named Alicia Clary.
His friend, the brilliant inventor Thomas Edison, offers to create an android to replace her.
This android, named Hadaly, is physically identical to Alicia but is imbued with a perfect, idealized soul and personality.
The story explores the philosophical implications of artificial intelligence and the nature of love, beauty, and human imperfection.