Reviews

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

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alexandra296's review against another edition

Liked the way it was told even though the implications of the themes are kinda yikes and racist. Pretty enjoyable to read if you can acknowledge that the ideas its based around are mostly very dated.

garrodot's review against another edition

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4.0

There are a lot of interesting ideas set up here that go wholly unexplored. The fragile peace being upset by the careless actions of the newcomer is a perfect plot that happens too quickly and almost in the background.

chriswaldron15's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Content Warnings

beelzebean's review against another edition

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4.0

This book invokes many questions on morality, the ethics of scientific progress, and the behavior of overall humankind - What does it mean to be human?

I felt as though the character Moreau could resemble man's desire for power and supremacy, and that the creatures may represent the vulnerable and oppressed members of society.

The scientist also appeared to lack empathy and at some points it seemed he even might enjoy the pain he caused to those poor animals:

"To this day I have never troubled about the ethics of the matter. The study of Nature makes a man at last as remorseless as Nature."

I found this book to be grotesque (as expected), unnerving, and incredibly twisted. It was very well written and I'm glad to have finally read it, as it felt much different from all the other H. G. Wells I had encountered.

Oh, and did anyone else keep thinking of the Mutant episode of The Mighty Boosh while reading or... was it just me?