neolx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
4.5
This was a really thoughtful and creepy horror sci-fi story that explored the fuzzy line between human nature and animals that was written, I think, in the wake of the publication of Darwin’s ideas. The author really excelled at creating an eerie atmosphere full of tension and beautiful, terrifying imagery. I can’t wait to read more H.G. Wells!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Medical trauma
ruffian23's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Medical trauma, Gore, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Racism and Ableism
bessadams's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Colonisation, and Racism
Moderate: Gun violence and Torture
poirot's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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
dark
mysterious
tense
2.0
Content Warnings
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
grinchem's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I won't deny that the story has its flaws, but overall I still found it interesting and entertaining.
The protagonist is almost comically incurious. Of all the wild things he witnesses, he's generally just focused on himself and doesn't think any further. It plays into the horror, that he may have seen things coming if he had just put a little more thought into the implications of what he had seen.
I felt like the story didn't give enough weight or attention to this brand new developing culture. It was seen through that old colonial British lens of "lesser" and therefore not deserving of attention. But it was consistent with the characters that they view it that way, and considering the book was in part inspired by the new (at the time) theory of evolution, I think it speaks to how people at that time saw an inherent horror in the idea of something not-yet-human. I think the horror for a modern reader is a little different, but the story still holds the power to make you quietly whisper "what the fuck"
The protagonist is almost comically incurious. Of all the wild things he witnesses, he's generally just focused on himself and doesn't think any further. It plays into the horror, that he may have seen things coming if he had just put a little more thought into the implications of what he had seen.
I felt like the story didn't give enough weight or attention to this brand new developing culture. It was seen through that old colonial British lens of "lesser" and therefore not deserving of attention. But it was consistent with the characters that they view it that way, and considering the book was in part inspired by the new (at the time) theory of evolution, I think it speaks to how people at that time saw an inherent horror in the idea of something not-yet-human. I think the horror for a modern reader is a little different, but the story still holds the power to make you quietly whisper "what the fuck"
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Body horror, Animal cruelty, Murder, and Animal death
Minor: Racism
stephaniekrebs's review
dark
reflective
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
makayla_muir's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Interesting read. The premise was intriguing and the writing was brilliant at times, though some of the imagery was lost on me. I didn't find it bad and I didn't find it good - it was just 'eh', alright. The ending was fantastic though, I would've loved for this idea - of Prendrick's life after the island and the psychological effects of being there - to be explored more, I did think the last two pages were the most interesting of the whole book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Animal death, and Blood
dustspectre's review
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This is one of those books that would be far better if it were a) longer and b) rewritten for the modern day. As it stands, the book is far too short, suffers a lot from telling rather than showing (especially for the final few chapters), and the science really doesn't hold up. Not to mention the casual racism for most of the book.
The concept is certainly very interesting, however, hence the extra star. Again, if a book was published today with a similar premise/message I'd probably eat it right up.
(I will also give Wells credit for making a main character that actually has flaws rather than going the route of so many other 19/20th century authors and making their MC have every skill and scrap of knowledge on Earth. It's actually impressive how little Prendick knows/how few skills he actually has)
Edit: on further reflection, dropping from 2 to 1 stars due to just how lackluster the last few chapters were. The content in those chapters () was far too short and should've taken up the majority of the book rather than just the final ending chapters. The telling rather than showing aspect of Wells' writing also becomes painful here. Once again, this could be so much better if remade for the modern day, featuring better science and writing.
The concept is certainly very interesting, however, hence the extra star. Again, if a book was published today with a similar premise/message I'd probably eat it right up.
(I will also give Wells credit for making a main character that actually has flaws rather than going the route of so many other 19/20th century authors and making their MC have every skill and scrap of knowledge on Earth. It's actually impressive how little Prendick knows/how few skills he actually has)
Edit: on further reflection, dropping from 2 to 1 stars due to just how lackluster the last few chapters were. The content in those chapters (
Spoiler
the reversion of Moreau's creations to becoming animals, and Prendick's realisation that humanity was the monster
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Violence, Medical content, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Racism
moreau's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
my favorite book ever. the language is hilarious, the characters are fucking amazing which is a first for hg wells, hell most of them even have names. he never names his characters or gives them any depth but these characters are actual people. still not fleshed out or anything but theyre there. prendick is boring and an average wells mc, has no opinions on anything. and Montgomery is kind of confusing, if you watch all the movie adaptations of this he's completely different in all of them yet all are somehow accurate to his book counterpart, but moreau is a solid character. hes just chill like that. love the pink sloth. this book completely changed the way i see the world, every biology class i have i mention it, everywhere i go theres a reference to it that goes over most people's heads and I'm like "oohh ohh i know that!!" (totally ruined the mighty boosh and the simpsons for me.) this book basically made me a furry because im so obsessed with if it could actually happen or not.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Torture, and Body horror
Moderate: Blood, Alcoholism, Death, and Violence
Minor: Suicide attempt, Racism, Racial slurs, and Ableism