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irene_addler's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
On my journey through the classics of horror, I knew I would need to traverse The Island of Doctor Moreau. Despite getting fairly short, this story is quite the ride.
We start by knowing how the story ends. While there's potential for that to ruin the story, this story is absolutely not made worse for it. In fact, watching how Prendick gets to the island and simply following the journey was wonderful. I believe that helps offset some of the harder moments in the book. No matter what, the reader always knows there is hope.
I didn't find Prendick very likeable. He felt quick to judge others--though he is one of the most likeable characters in the book. However, most of his decisions make sense, and there are periods of humor in what could have been a horribly depressing book.
The body horror in this story had me literally cringing, and I wouldn't say it was a particularly graphic book. It's one of those stories where what is not shown makes it all the worse.
I think there's more in this story which could have been dug deeper into, but not every horror has to have deep discussions about morality--though that certainly is a topic. I'm also still confused as to why the experiments were happening. Moreau has a long monologue about it and perhaps the length made me glaze over and miss the point, but my understanding leaves me confused and thinking that his goals make no sense with his experiments.
I listened to the audio book narrated by Jonathan Keeble, and I think he's a great at creating unique voices, but there were times I wasn't sure who was talking and sometimes it was a bit much for me, but given how picky I am with narrators and that I finished this book, I think he was definitely a solid narrator. I wouldn't seek a book out to listen to him specifically, but I would absolutely listen to him narrate a book again.
Overall, this is a great book for those who want to dive into classic horror, but I wouldn't say it's a must read for everyone else.
Graphic: Medical content, Gun violence, Gore, Body horror, Animal death, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, and Blood
marionhoney's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Body horror
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, Murder, Blood, Ableism, Alcoholism, and Gore
Minor: Slavery, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Antisemitism, Racial slurs, and Suicidal thoughts
ruffian23's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Body horror, Medical trauma, Gore, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Racism and Ableism
poirot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Violence, Body horror, Gore, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Blood, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Torture
Moderate: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Alcohol, and Suicidal thoughts
CW speciesism, CW vivisectionlynxpardinus's review against another edition
2.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Animal cruelty, Gun violence, Racism, Medical content, Animal death, and Death
Moderate: Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Slavery, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
apurpleyuan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Racism, and Body horror
Moderate: Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Suicide attempt
liamlaurence's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Suicide attempt, Slavery, Mental illness, Gore, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Blood
tungstenmouse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Gore, Blood, Cursing, Death, Alcoholism, Body horror, Suicidal thoughts, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Violence, Torture, and Racism
Moderate: Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Ableism
kstericker's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Death
Moderate: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Racism
Minor: Cannibalism and Fire/Fire injury
rydwyn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Sexism, and Gore