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Some short novels are really just extended short stories and could have been wrapped up in half the pages. THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU could easily have been much longer. It is a tight little novel—every moment is devoted to tipping the scales, finding where we are on the line of humanity. At the very start our main character is dehumanized by being lost at sea…long enough to have abandoned reason. When found, he is nursed back to health by someone who is constantly losing his reason to alcohol. Even Dr. Moreau is never as savage as when imparting science to his creations. The narrator Prendick says toward the end of the novel, “An animal may be ferocious and cunning enough, but it takes a real man to tell a lie.” This includes of course lying to oneself—Moreau has made this into an art form. The Man-Beasts that Moreau creates are not static either—there is a constant tug and pull between animal and man. They are created during an act of brutality and it is largely the fear of it’s return that keeps them human. Once that fear is gone, they revert to a form of their animal selves. Not a favorable critique of humanity. There is a point where Prendick (what can that name possibly mean?) drifts into a stasis with the Man-Beasts—for some weeks there is relative peace on the island. But any form of man will eventually fail to keep the peace. Much is written about H G Wells seeing the future—here forecasting genetic engineering. But really he was just a keen observer of his own times—extrapolating off the world around him. He saw the great acceleration of change at the end of the 19th century and realized it would not slow down. In the midst of a world becoming more mechanical, Wells writes here to ponder just what it is to be human. He discovers just how intangible that can be and how quickly it can elude us. ( )

One of my favorite books! As well as concepts/themes (mad scientist makes monsters/abominations)! The novel deals with a number of philosophical themes such as pain and cruelty, moral responsibility, human identity, and human interference with nature. It was written during a time where there was increasing opposition to animal testing and experimentation and more talk of social degeneration/devolution. Intriguing, original premise that is a cornerstone classic basis for many mad scientist tropes. Some people may find the period diction a bit hard to get into, but if you can get by that- it's worth the time. ( )

This is a quick read with an intriguing exploration of the idea of humanity. What makes someone human? It argues its case well and makes a compelling conclusion. Some interpret this as a cynical or pessimistic or negative viewpoint, but I don't think it's necessarily so bad. It leads to an acceptance of the way the universe operates instead of anthropocentrically-veiled disillusionment of how the universe operates. The heart of this story addresses human nature in the terms of scientific advancement.

The plot flows swiftly and carries the reader's interest. The characters are relatable and recognizable in others and have depth to them. The setting is described well. It seems like a pretty nice island actually even with the inhabitants (human and nonhuman alike).

I recommend this book. ( )

Sadly, for me, not a book that has survived well over the years. The descriptions and suspense are solid, but the science is laughable in retrospect, the metaphors and themes ridiculously transparent. It's still entertaining, but honestly, Wells has written better. ( )