One of my goals in 2021 is to read more. See other books I've read or listened to here.
The Island of Dr Moreau by HG Wells is one of my very favorite classic sci fi novels.
A civilized Englishman is rescued at sea by a scientist’s assistant with a crude seeming manservant and taken to a mysterious island. At first he is relieved to be alive but the more he finds out about the strange island, it’s inhabitants and it’s benefactor, Dr Moreau, the more he fears for his life!
I’m always so pleasantly surprised how easy and captivating this book is. I have reread this book several times, and I always remember loving it, being frightened, being thrilled, being horrified, but forget how I get there. There are many things about this book that are dated. Some of the writing, some of the science, some of the morals, are all of it’s time to a certain extent, but the reader can still be exhilarated and thrilled by this short novel. Chase scenes, fights to the death, torture, moral ambiguity, imprisonment, revolt, can all be found in this book that is less than 150 pages in most editions. This story is not for the faint of heart. It does have many horror aspects. Bc the emotions of the main character are so heightened, the reader feels acutely what all of those feelings. I’m also a fan of the critically panned 1997 film of the same name. I find that although there are many flaws with that movie, it well depicts the anxiety, fear, and horror of the book. But the movie also adds a endearing quality to some of the characters that the book might not touch on. It keeps you on your toes, balanced between sympathy and disgust. I would recommend the movie, especially as a companion to the book which I would highly recommend. I would hope that all sci fi and horror fans read this classic novel. I would recommend this to classic lovers, people who like books about science, and readers who like isolated mysteries or suspense books.
Have you read The Island of Dr Moreau? Where do you feel it fits in the many genres it encompasses?
This book is featured in my Feb Wrap Up.