The Doll — Charles Parker

The main male character suffers from a sexual enigma, stemming from a childhood experience with his elder sister while he was only five years old. During his teenage years and into his twenties he failed to develop any sexual interest. He is continually teased by his contemporaries for being an eternal virgin. Under pressure from them he loses his virginity during an unsatisfactory one night stand. Many years pass before a young Scottish woman falls in love with him, and they begin a sexual affair. Another telling twelve years pass before he is introduced to a strikingly beautiful woman at his niece's wedding. They fall deeply in love and are married despite the difference in age. Whilst on a visit to New York she dies from a suspected drug overdose, which causes him to suffer a nervous breakdown. In despair he encounters a professor of cybernetics and purchases his 'ideal' woman. She proves to be a delightful handful and he falls in love with her. Becoming convinced she is a real woman, he is cautioned by the professor. The conclusion may leave you wondering!