amsmith04's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
2.0
scifi horror racism??
lindcherry's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Violence, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Blood and Death
znnys's review against another edition
3.0
I was surprised to see how much creepier the book was than I'd expected - there's a lot that's left to the imagination in a very effective way, like the "limbless thing" that was apparently among one of Moreau's failed experiments. It was also really interesting to read how Moreau justifies his work and how much that must have inspired works that followed, with him talking about the intermingling of pain and pleasure long before Hellraiser was even in a twinkle in Clive Barker's eye.
Unfortunately I think it's hindered by the sensitivities (or lack thereof) of its time period. It was interesting how quickly the protagonist fell into the oppressor role after Moreau and Montgomery died, though I'm not sure how much of that was intentional on Wells' part. There isn't much sympathy offered to the Beast People. Even when Prendick explicitly acknowledges them as victims, he hates and reviles them, and although he doesn't carry out the same experiment Moreau was doing in "the House of Pain", he is still quick to subjugate them for as long as he can until they begin to devolve. He does this out of what he justifies as his only chance for survival, but I can't help but wonder about the intention behind this - was this a deliberate character choice for Prendick, or was Wells himself unable to conceive of any other solution?
I would like to believe the former, especially by the end of the book where Prendick himself feels like something that is neither human nor animal, and feels disturbed and frightened by other people. He explains this as the result of living among the Beast People, but I cannot help but wonder if it's also the result of how he himself had been twisted by the brief yet absolute power he had. Notably, he does not seem to have any driving interest in escaping until the animals around him (including his most loyal Dog-Man) begin to devolve and no longer see him as their leader. When he first realizes that Moreau had manipulated the Beast People into believing he was their god, it disgusted him - but after Moreau's death, he was wielding the whip and perpetuating the myth.
Overall very interesting read, a proto-body horror classic with more nuance than I had expected.
Unfortunately I think it's hindered by the sensitivities (or lack thereof) of its time period. It was interesting how quickly the protagonist fell into the oppressor role after Moreau and Montgomery died, though I'm not sure how much of that was intentional on Wells' part. There isn't much sympathy offered to the Beast People. Even when Prendick explicitly acknowledges them as victims, he hates and reviles them, and although he doesn't carry out the same experiment Moreau was doing in "the House of Pain", he is still quick to subjugate them for as long as he can until they begin to devolve. He does this out of what he justifies as his only chance for survival, but I can't help but wonder about the intention behind this - was this a deliberate character choice for Prendick, or was Wells himself unable to conceive of any other solution?
I would like to believe the former, especially by the end of the book where Prendick himself feels like something that is neither human nor animal, and feels disturbed and frightened by other people. He explains this as the result of living among the Beast People, but I cannot help but wonder if it's also the result of how he himself had been twisted by the brief yet absolute power he had. Notably, he does not seem to have any driving interest in escaping until the animals around him (including his most loyal Dog-Man) begin to devolve and no longer see him as their leader. When he first realizes that Moreau had manipulated the Beast People into believing he was their god, it disgusted him - but after Moreau's death, he was wielding the whip and perpetuating the myth.
Overall very interesting read, a proto-body horror classic with more nuance than I had expected.
kimoleary's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
thatferalreader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
lysinchapters's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
vlad_ussr's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Good book and story, good twists and turns. Some long words that are harder to understand but it's good.
justgina93's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed it, especially at work real early in the am. It helped me get thru the morning well. Has great description from a deserted point of view.
monarchbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
My head hurts after reading this
hankspecter's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0