Reviews

The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells

jamford's review against another edition

Didn't like the writing style, found it boring

midici's review against another edition

3.0

I have mixed feelings about this. H.G. Wells writes very well, and he creates a very specific eerie sensation of being trapped and isolated (by being stranded on the island); and being in constant fear for your life (as everyone and everything is at all times on the island). As a book written in the 1800s it's pretty openly racist. There's interesting themes about ethics in science, about playing god and taking responsibility for your creations; but there's some very wrong ideas (in my opinion anyway) on the fundamental differences between people and animals. The main character is a bit of an idiot but he survives so he gets bonus points.

The sort of cult that Moreau encourages the Beast People to have - one where there are supposed to act 'like humans' and worship/fear Moreau and his "House of Pain" - make Moreau by far the creepiest character. Also the way he apparently operates on live and aware animals, so that there's a constant background screaming of immense pain at all times. Honestly my real question is why the hell Pendrick took so long to decide to get away.

tatertot_reader's review against another edition

Read for school.
I'm not sure what to think about it; the story got very dark, very fast.

asphodelrose7's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Violence, Animal death, and Death

Moderate: Body horror, Blood, Stalking, and Gun violence

Minor: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcoholism

maydas's review against another edition

3.0

H.G. Wells'in diğer kitabını daha çok sevmiştim

rienkat's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

agwood32's review against another edition

adventurous dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No

2.5

I read this book mainly because I wanted to know the reference material before reading Silvia Moreno-Garcia's The Daughter of Dr. Moreau.

Regarding H. G. Wells, the book was fine, but I found it kind of boring. Maybe that's anti-intellectual for me to say, but it's how I feel!! Not all classics are enjoyable reads. Every once in a while, there would be a sequence of sentences that I found engaging and thoughtful, and I'm sure there is a ton of analysis and deep points about humans vs. animals and are we even really that different from each other? blah blah blah... but that's not a philosophical question I personally ponder too much. 

jessdone's review against another edition

3.0

While elements of this book don't age well, the writing is impeccable and it's full of speculative elements any fan of scifi will love to sink their teeth into. It's also a wonderfully atmospheric gothic novel if you're looking for something with a little ennui.

My full review is on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgysaYrfht4

searchforalife's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

anyajulchen's review against another edition

4.0

It's definitely not the best story of Wells, but is still enjoyable and good. Specially, the idea of making humans of animals.