La noche del cerebro

"La Noche del Cerebro" by Curtis Garland is a science fiction horror novella published by Editorial Bruguera in 1983. The narrative takes the form of a suicide letter from protagonist D. Barnes to his beloved Mabel, written in February 1980 as he prepares to end his life. Barnes recounts accepting employment as a chemist with Dr. Bernard Ingram near Colchester, London. After consuming port with Ingram one evening, Barnes loses consciousness for twenty-two days. Upon waking, he discovers his body has been completely transformed—he possesses a different face, taller stature, and improved physical appearance. Ingram calmly explains the metamorphosis as his revolutionary achievement, offering Barnes fifteen hundred guineas as compensation. Ingram claims credit for the transformation through advanced surgical techniques, though the mechanism remains scientifically inexplicable to Barnes. The narrative explores Barnes's horror and confusion at his altered identity while Ingram maintains clinical detachment, suggesting Barnes will benefit from his new attractive appearance.