“…He was so irresponsible, so utterly careless. His curiosity, his mad, aimless investigations, drove him on…”
The Island of Dr. Moreau by science fiction pioneer H. G. Wells has been in the back of my mind to read for some time. The book is the tale of a secluded mad scientist, his experiments, and Edward Prendick, who found himself an accidental uninvited guest in Moreau’s domain and whose firsthand account comprises the book. It’s not a particularly long read and is definitely a good next step for readers already familiar with some of Wells’ work and wanting to read more.
Ultimately, this novel is a cautionary tale of taking science too far. (Interestingly, a note at the back of the book—at least in the library copy—claims that the scientific processes described within may actually be possible.) Prendick makes for an interesting main character within this narrative, having a limited background in biology and an interest in natural history. This allows him some common ground with the mysterious Dr. Moreau, making their interactions all the more fascinating.
The Island of Dr. Moreau has a number of similarities and differences to other Wells novels I have read. It shares the author’s tendency for excellent science fiction worldbuilding, retrospective first-person limited perspective, and social commentary. On the other hand, unlike The War of the Worlds, the frightening aspect of this story is humanity; unlike The Time Machine, scientific advancement is presented with wariness rather than excitement. The biggest difference, to me, was the overall tone of the book. While every H. G. Wells book I have read has perturbing elements to the story and disturbing moments (e.g. the Morlocks of The Time Machine or Griffin’s unstable psyche in The Invisible Man), in The Island of Dr. Moreau, the “disturbing moment” begins in chapter 2 and lasts until the end of the novel.
What exactly was Dr. Moreau up to? That I will leave a mystery for any first-time readers. I will, however, pique your interest with a quote from Prendick upon first encountering one of the characters associated with the island of Dr. Moreau:
“I had never beheld such a repulsive and extraordinary face before, and yet—if the contradiction is credible—I experienced at the same time an odd feeling that in some way I had already encountered exactly the features and gestures that now amazed me.”
Especially Recommended For:
People who have read some H. G. Wells and want to read more, anyone looking for some dark sci-fi, horror fans, those interested in a narrative tale exploring ethics in science.
Darius Mullin’s reviews reflect his personal opinions and not necessarily those of the library or university.
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