A review by richardrbecker
The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells
dark
mysterious
medium-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
4.25
I picked up The Island of Dr. Moreau in the spirit of Halloween. H.G. Wells didn't disappoint. He provides some great pacing, creepy antagonists, and a gothic vibe after protagonist Edward Prendick is stranded on a Pacific island by the notorious Dr. Moreau.
While Prendick isn't my favorite protagonist (he's a dullard), his low threshold for fear does lend something to the story. Specifically, while the creatures may or may not make your skin crawl, Prendick's hysteria helps the island feel impossibly claustrophobic. There is nowhere to run. There is nowhere to hide.
My primary criticism of the work is that Wells didn't give Prendick any room for transformation. He essentially remains the same terrified soul from start to finish. Conversely, the net sum of the book is more frightening than expected. While horror stories don't generally spook me, I did appreciate the atmosphere he created that far and away is spookier than any of the film adaptations that have been made. It's creepy, especially if you apply your imagination.
The three human residents on the island rely on the fragile illusion of their status to keep the beasts in line as H.g. Wells tackles evolution, creation, and the abuse of science. It's a timely reminder that as smart as science can be, it needs to be constrained by ethics.
Overall, it's a timeless classic that doesn't feel dated. Even after all these years, the tale reads like a modern novel presented as a carefully preserved period piece. It's a must for anyone who appreciates a horror story written by one of the true masters.
While Prendick isn't my favorite protagonist (he's a dullard), his low threshold for fear does lend something to the story. Specifically, while the creatures may or may not make your skin crawl, Prendick's hysteria helps the island feel impossibly claustrophobic. There is nowhere to run. There is nowhere to hide.
My primary criticism of the work is that Wells didn't give Prendick any room for transformation. He essentially remains the same terrified soul from start to finish. Conversely, the net sum of the book is more frightening than expected. While horror stories don't generally spook me, I did appreciate the atmosphere he created that far and away is spookier than any of the film adaptations that have been made. It's creepy, especially if you apply your imagination.
The three human residents on the island rely on the fragile illusion of their status to keep the beasts in line as H.g. Wells tackles evolution, creation, and the abuse of science. It's a timely reminder that as smart as science can be, it needs to be constrained by ethics.
Overall, it's a timeless classic that doesn't feel dated. Even after all these years, the tale reads like a modern novel presented as a carefully preserved period piece. It's a must for anyone who appreciates a horror story written by one of the true masters.