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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
This book was very interesting. It’s a story of what happens when a scientist decides to play God and the consequences of that decision. The plot was intriguing, but it didn’t fully capture my interest. The characters were well written, but it’s H.G. Wells, so of course. H.G. Wells is very good at describing horrifying things and complex people, with no sugar-coating and none of the edge taken off. Doctor Moreau is basically a monster who created more monsters, with no remorse, simply because he wanted to see if he could. Montgomery is the perfect “Igor” type character, just doing whatever he’s told because he himself believes there’s a bit of divinity in his scientist master. Charles Edward Prendick rounds out the trio of characters as the hapless witness to everything taking place on the island. He’s the reader’s tool to gain exposition and the mirror through which we funnel our reactions. However, there were times when I wanted a smarter mirror. When things start going wrong, I felt like Charles should’ve been a bit quicker to understand and act. Perhaps that way, the ending wouldn’t have seemed so convenient. Overall, this story was fascinating, and there were so many layers to peel off and examine. It’s one of those classics that make you think, which is something H.G. Wells is so good at.
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
A strange sci fi from the past. Enjoyed the Libra Vox recorded audiobook
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
tense
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A classic science-fiction novel about the dangers of unregulated experiments. How far is too far in the pursuit of knowledge?
So gory and full of harm to animals. I couldn’t even finish it.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wells does it again! He has written a beautifully grotesque novel about the morality and ethics of genetics and coupled with the integrity of our science and technology- how it affects nature.
Edward Prendig shipwrecks and is the sole survivor, starving and dehydrated when he is happened upon by a ship with a doctor on board who takes pity on him and nurses him back to health. He tells Prendig that they are on their way to an island he lives on with an array of live animals.. They arrive on the Island of Doctor Moreau, Prendig has a tickling at the back of his mind that he recalls that name from somewhere... He is still exhausted and goes to sleep. The next day while wandering, Prendig happens upon humanoid creatures that are more animal like than human like and he is scared half to death.
Moreau's self righteous speech to Prendig about his unchecked cruelty and completely purposeful lack of morals in pursuit of scientific breakthroughs, knowing exactly the extreme fear and insurmountable pain he is creating is in a word: chilling.
"Very much indeed of what we call moral education, he said, is such an artificial modification and perversion of instinct; pugnacity is trained into courageous self-sacrifice, and suppressed sexuality into religious emotion."
"I've not confined myself to man- making."
"And I tell you, pleasure and pain have nothing to do with heaven or hell."
"Sympathetic pain,-all I know of it I remember as a thing I used to suffer from years ago."
The story is very intense. I loved every moment of this early body horror fiction. A MUST read for fans of the genre, especially foundational SF.
Edward Prendig shipwrecks and is the sole survivor, starving and dehydrated when he is happened upon by a ship with a doctor on board who takes pity on him and nurses him back to health. He tells Prendig that they are on their way to an island he lives on with an array of live animals.. They arrive on the Island of Doctor Moreau, Prendig has a tickling at the back of his mind that he recalls that name from somewhere... He is still exhausted and goes to sleep. The next day while wandering, Prendig happens upon humanoid creatures that are more animal like than human like and he is scared half to death.
Moreau's self righteous speech to Prendig about his unchecked cruelty and completely purposeful lack of morals in pursuit of scientific breakthroughs, knowing exactly the extreme fear and insurmountable pain he is creating is in a word: chilling.
"Very much indeed of what we call moral education, he said, is such an artificial modification and perversion of instinct; pugnacity is trained into courageous self-sacrifice, and suppressed sexuality into religious emotion."
"I've not confined myself to man- making."
"And I tell you, pleasure and pain have nothing to do with heaven or hell."
"Sympathetic pain,-all I know of it I remember as a thing I used to suffer from years ago."
The story is very intense. I loved every moment of this early body horror fiction. A MUST read for fans of the genre, especially foundational SF.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This of all H.G. Wells classics really shows it to be "of its time" - the inherent colonial and racist undertones were difficult to get past. The story had a lot of potential but ultimately the main character was just so unlikeable (even if read extremely well by the narrator, Mr Isaacs).
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Me gusto, pense que iba a ser mucho mas largo, pero es re corto, todo transcurre en un año de los cuales solo te cuenta nose 2 meses, estuvo bueno.
Also, tampoco nadie me habia espoileado el final de este libro y empiezo a pensar que tal vez mis conocidos no habian leido un libro.
Also, tampoco nadie me habia espoileado el final de este libro y empiezo a pensar que tal vez mis conocidos no habian leido un libro.