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A review by undercoverfeesh
The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.85 ⭐️
I love how lush, gorgeous, mysterious and wild the Yucatán landscape seemed in this novel. The colonizers' misconception that the Yucatán was an island -- and the jungle's vitality and impenetrability -- helped create a perfect setup for a retelling of "The Island of Doctor Moreau."
The book shone through its themes of feminism and its unflinching examination of colorism/internalized racism in Mexican society, Mexico's patriarchy, and the history of the enslavement of the Maya people (and ensuing Maya resistance).
I did find the plot largely predictable; hence, its 3.85 star rating. But, as a woman of Mexican descent, it felt so good and meaningful to read this book and feel so at home in the wilderness.
I love how lush, gorgeous, mysterious and wild the Yucatán landscape seemed in this novel. The colonizers' misconception that the Yucatán was an island -- and the jungle's vitality and impenetrability -- helped create a perfect setup for a retelling of "The Island of Doctor Moreau."
The book shone through its themes of feminism and its unflinching examination of colorism/internalized racism in Mexican society, Mexico's patriarchy, and the history of the enslavement of the Maya people (and ensuing Maya resistance).
I did find the plot largely predictable; hence, its 3.85 star rating. But, as a woman of Mexican descent, it felt so good and meaningful to read this book and feel so at home in the wilderness.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Misogyny