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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
This is one of the greatest books I've ever read. It's certainly not for all, for it is grotesque and filled with agony; yet the psychological aspects and moral philosophy inside of the book is really thought-provoking.
As with every H.G.Wells story I've read, The Island of Dr. Moreau is half an interesting adventure and half an "Oh my God, this has another meaning I get it now" read. Incredibly page-turner with vivid images, it brings me back to when I read The War of the Worlds for the first time. Old sci fi can be very sadistic and disturbing, and Wells can pull off both while also being highly entertaining.
“Repite estas palabras. No caminaras a cuatro patas; esa es la Ley”
La atemporalidad de esta historia es increíble y la facilidad con la que pasas la pagina sin aburrirte es para aplaudirle a Wells. La Isla del Dr Moreau lleva el “poder de la ciencia” al extremo y aunque el tema central de las vivisecciones es algo pasado, con mucha facilidad se puede ver como una alegoría actual y la critica no pierde fuerza.
Edward, nuestro personaje principal, llega a la isla casi por casualidad y sirve para darnos una mirada externa a lo que ahí sucede, pero también para analizar lo rápida que es la perdida de la compasión {Pero cuando el sufrimiento halla una voz y nos pone los nervios de punta, la compasión llega a ser una molestia}, lo mucho que valoramos nuestra humanidad y lo desesperados que estamos por identificarla en todo {Entonces saco la mano y, muy despacio, conto los dedos: -Uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco ¿eh?} hasta llegar al extremo de crearla que es el tema central del libro.
“La cirugía es capaz de obtener resultados mucho mejores. Puede crear, además de destruir y transformar.”
Por esa razón el capitulo catorce y la larga conversación entre Edward y Moreau es mi parte favorita de toda la novela. La capacidad de justificación que tiene Moreau es de risa hasta el punto de comparar el sentido de dolor con una pura actitud animal. Y su control sobre las criaturas que habitan la isla solo puede ligarse a lo divino {Vuelven a sus orígenes. En cuanto aparto mi mano de ellos, la bestia comienza a deslizarse sigilosamente}.
Se puede leercomo una reflexión o solo como una crítica muy dura, pero entre todas las paginas de esta novela hay mucho mas que vale la pena cuestionar. No deja de asombrarme lo actuales que pueden verse las lecturas de H. G. Wells.
“Repite estas palabras. No caminaras a cuatro patas; esa es la Ley”
La atemporalidad de esta historia es increíble y la facilidad con la que pasas la pagina sin aburrirte es para aplaudirle a Wells. La Isla del Dr Moreau lleva el “poder de la ciencia” al extremo y aunque el tema central de las vivisecciones es algo pasado, con mucha facilidad se puede ver como una alegoría actual y la critica no pierde fuerza.
Edward, nuestro personaje principal, llega a la isla casi por casualidad y sirve para darnos una mirada externa a lo que ahí sucede, pero también para analizar lo rápida que es la perdida de la compasión {Pero cuando el sufrimiento halla una voz y nos pone los nervios de punta, la compasión llega a ser una molestia}, lo mucho que valoramos nuestra humanidad y lo desesperados que estamos por identificarla en todo {Entonces saco la mano y, muy despacio, conto los dedos: -Uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco ¿eh?} hasta llegar al extremo de crearla que es el tema central del libro.
“La cirugía es capaz de obtener resultados mucho mejores. Puede crear, además de destruir y transformar.”
Por esa razón el capitulo catorce y la larga conversación entre Edward y Moreau es mi parte favorita de toda la novela. La capacidad de justificación que tiene Moreau es de risa hasta el punto de comparar el sentido de dolor con una pura actitud animal. Y su control sobre las criaturas que habitan la isla solo puede ligarse a lo divino {Vuelven a sus orígenes. En cuanto aparto mi mano de ellos, la bestia comienza a deslizarse sigilosamente}.
Se puede leercomo una reflexión o solo como una crítica muy dura, pero entre todas las paginas de esta novela hay mucho mas que vale la pena cuestionar. No deja de asombrarme lo actuales que pueden verse las lecturas de H. G. Wells.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The plot, prose, and characters are rather skeletal. Nothing stood out as egregious, really. Nothing stood out at all.
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This story is horrifying! I disagree and dislike what Dr. Moreau did, and how he kept his control. Unfortunately, it seems that we are experiencing this type of control in the world today, 2025.
Continuing my read through the works of H.G. Wells, this is the first of his works I knew almost nothing about. I’ve watched none of the movies, and the only aspect I’d discovered elsewhere was that it involved the creation of man-beasts.
I’m more and more impressed with Wells’ ability to produce a unique style and voice from book to book. I’ve now read the four most famous of his creations and each one has a very different feel to the others. You could almost believe they were written by different authors. A testament to his talent and ability as a writer.
Anyway, the book itself. The Island of Doctor Moreau is a very linear story in its telling, as seems to be Wells' prefrance. Presented by Edward Prendick, as he relays his experiences of being trapped on the island. Although the prose betrays the age of this story, it manages to deliver a severe impact, even today. Those ‘corny’ feelings that can come with many long aged works are not present here, other than the language of the time, offering a sincere feeling of dread, pity and harrow. Most affectingly, at least for me, was the feeling of being trapped in seclusion wasn’t at its strongest during Prendick's time on the island, it seems more prevalent when he makes it back to civilisation and discovers a manifest fear of his fellow man and the monsters within they could possibly revert to. An incredibly poignant ending.
It’s hard to say I enjoyed this read, it was more of an appreciation.
I’m more and more impressed with Wells’ ability to produce a unique style and voice from book to book. I’ve now read the four most famous of his creations and each one has a very different feel to the others. You could almost believe they were written by different authors. A testament to his talent and ability as a writer.
Anyway, the book itself. The Island of Doctor Moreau is a very linear story in its telling, as seems to be Wells' prefrance. Presented by Edward Prendick, as he relays his experiences of being trapped on the island. Although the prose betrays the age of this story, it manages to deliver a severe impact, even today. Those ‘corny’ feelings that can come with many long aged works are not present here, other than the language of the time, offering a sincere feeling of dread, pity and harrow. Most affectingly, at least for me, was the feeling of being trapped in seclusion wasn’t at its strongest during Prendick's time on the island, it seems more prevalent when he makes it back to civilisation and discovers a manifest fear of his fellow man and the monsters within they could possibly revert to. An incredibly poignant ending.
It’s hard to say I enjoyed this read, it was more of an appreciation.
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Dense
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Medical content, Murder
Didn't know much about the story going into it, but I did already know that I like H.G. Wells' writing.
All of the H.G. Wells books I've read have had a pretty good balance between explaining how the "science" in the book works and just trusting the reader to go along with it, which I think makes them pretty accessible. I found this a pretty easy read, and read it from cover to cover on a short flight.
The exploration of colonial practices and fears, alongside the description of how Prendick's trauma has alienated him from other people particularly stood out to me.
I didn't find it as gripping as other Wells books though, and did find the middle of the book a little repetitive. I also felt like the beast folk could have been differentiated a bit more. At points, it felt like the leopard-man and hyena-man etc all acted essentially the same in a way that felt like a missed opportunity.
All of the H.G. Wells books I've read have had a pretty good balance between explaining how the "science" in the book works and just trusting the reader to go along with it, which I think makes them pretty accessible. I found this a pretty easy read, and read it from cover to cover on a short flight.
The exploration of colonial practices and fears, alongside the description of how Prendick's trauma has alienated him from other people particularly stood out to me.
I didn't find it as gripping as other Wells books though, and did find the middle of the book a little repetitive. I also felt like the beast folk could have been differentiated a bit more. At points, it felt like the leopard-man and hyena-man etc all acted essentially the same in a way that felt like a missed opportunity.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes