Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Island of Dr. Moreau
Island of Dr. Moreau | H G Wells
After a collision between two ships in rough seas, the wreck's sole survivor languished for eight days under a merciless sun. With neither food nor drink death seemed certain, but miraculously, Edward Prendick survived. Yet what he would encounter in the days ahead was more horrible and terrifying than death, for the island on which he landed was the home of the infamous Dr. Moreau whose goal was to create a powerful new breed of animal part man and part beast. Is it a miracle of science or a crime against nature?
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
Doppoetry
post image
Mehso-so

There are a lot of themes in this book but they are not explored thoroughly. Some authors hammer the point in, but this doesn't feel like it hammers the point enough. MC waffled back and forth between liking and hating the beast folk. The plot meanders through most of the book. The book itself is written well but the thinly veiled racism and antisemitism do great harm to the whole book.

Doppoetry Moreau himself is very righteous about his “scientific discovery“ and claims this will help human evolution etc, but he never bothered to explain how, which makes me wonder if he even knew himself or Wells just thought “Well, that's enough scientific jargon for my book.“ 7mo
Doppoetry There is a genuinely good book in there, but it's marred with heinous ideologies. 7mo
5 likes2 comments
blurb
Doppoetry
post image

Started this a few hours ago, digging the eerie vibes, not sure if racism plays a big part in this or not, though 😬

review
Bookwomble
post image
Pickpick

Wells packed a lot of moral themes into what is ostensibly an adventure tale of a mad scientist on a desert island. His obvious target is vivisection, sniping at those who only object if they see and hear the pain and suffering caused. This, possibly, extends to squeamish meat-eaters, too, and he gives a kicking to organised religion and its role in social control and the maintaining of hierarchical class systems.
His implied criticism of ... ⬇️

Bookwomble ...Christian missionary work as a project of colonialism doomed to failure is marred by his reasoning that "those damned savages will just revert to type". That and some causal anti-Semitism aside, it's still an engaging novel with a power to shock and disturb.
Of the three main homo sapien characters, Moreau is chillingly prophetic of Nazi medical-experimenter/geonocidal-fascist-murderer, Josef Mengele; the narrator, Prendick, deserves the... ⬇️
2y
Bookwomble ...last syllable of his name - and, admittedly, Wells calls him a "prig" via the third character: Mortimer, presented as debauched drunkard by Prendick, but to me the only one of the three with anything approaching true empathy for Moreau's tortured subjects, albeit in a way rather compromised by his itchy trigger finger.
⬇️
2y
Bookwomble Speaking of Mengele, Wells, in common with some other Socialists of his time (and, obviously, many fascists), was an ardent eugenicist, which is a disturbing fact when reading the book. He did, it appears, have the moral fibre to recant that position in light of Nazi atrocities, and to apologise for his previous anti-Semitic statements.
(Longest ever Litsy review? Apologies 😔)
2y
See All 8 Comments
The_Book_Ninja Great review🙌🏼 2y
Bookwomble @The_Book_Ninja Thank you 😊 2y
AllDebooks That is a great review 👏 2y
AllDebooks I never fail to be impressed with the content Wells brings to this novella. Incredible writing. 2y
Bookwomble @AllDebooks Thank you ? And, yes, he had an incredible imagination, with which he clothed some fascinating and challenging ideas. I wish he'd been able to transcend the "scientific" racist ideologies of his time, but history gives us all feet of clay. 2y
31 likes8 comments
quote
Bookwomble
post image

"I have withdrawn myself from the confusion of cities and multitudes, and spend my days surrounded by wise books, bright windows in this life of ours, lit by the shining souls of men.”

28 likes1 stack add
quote
Bookwomble
post image

“Not to go on all-Fours; that is the Law. Are we not Men?
Not to suck up Drink; that is the Law. Are we not Men?
Not to eat Flesh nor Fish; that is the Law. Are we not Men?
Not to claw Bark of Tree; that is the Law. Are we not Men?
Not to chase other Men; that is the Law. Are we not Men?”

- So, this is where Devo got the title of their first album from!
#BooksAndMusic

TrishB Cool 👍🏻 I think I‘d read that in my teens. 2y
Bookwomble @TrishB If I'd read Moreau when I bought it, I'd have known that in my teens, too! All things come to those who wait 😄⏳📚⌛ 2y
SamAnne I did not know this! 2y
TrishB That is very true! 2y
29 likes4 comments
blurb
Bookwomble
post image

#TitlesAndTunes
The #IslandVibes tag reminded me I've had Doctor Moreau on my shelf since 1981, so an incentive to remove something from near the base of Mount TBR!
This edition is a 1975 film tie-in to the adaptation starring Burt Lancaster and Michael York, which I have seen and which was appropriately sweaty and claustrophobic. 🐯🐷🐺🐮

Bookwomble Tune is the appropriately unsettling "Irreversible Neural Damage" from Kevin Ayers' Prog-tastic album "The Confessions of Dr. Dream and Other Stories", featuring vocals by Nico ?
@Cinfhen @BarbaraBB https://youtu.be/1VwtGkpwXPA
2y
BarbaraBB Your edition looks wonderfully retro - which it is of course. 1981!! And I am super curious about your song! 2y
Cinfhen I‘m so sorry, I missed this post 🙈I also can‘t seem to find the song on Spotify. I did listen to the YouTube video and the song is great @BarbaraBB 2y
See All 9 Comments
Bookwomble @Cinfhen No worries 😊 Not that it's super important, but here's a link to the Spotify track (clearly, it felt important enough for me to post the link 😄) https://open.spotify.com/track/6g3QXau8eyd3pgmwUZdAO7?si=3EPsrG-VTsmNKvv_0t4VzQ 2y
Cinfhen Hahaha 🤣 when I clicked the link I got this message that read “Song Not Available”😜For some reason I don‘t have rights to listen from my current country- so weird!!! I‘ll be in the states next week so hopefully I‘ll be able to add it then 🤞🏽♥️ 2y
Bookwomble @Cinfhen Ah, licensing! Safe journey when you travel back 😊 2y
Cinfhen Thanks - I‘ll keep you posted ☺️ 2y
Cinfhen Sorry… it wasn‘t available in the US either! Do you want to try a different song?? 1y
Bookwomble @Cinfhen No apologies necessary 😊 I'll try to remember what my other candidates were. 1y
32 likes9 comments
blurb
Cazxxx
post image

Finishing off this short book before I start ‘The daughter of Doctor Moreau‘ as it‘s a reimagining of this story and I thought it would be nice to familiarise myself with the original

review
CyaneFillion
Pickpick

Enjoyed this quick read, it was interesting from the get-go and had a cool concept. Do wish the way different people were described was not as...antiquated, even though it is an older book.

review
Roary47
post image
Mehso-so

3✨ The doctor was a curious man that decided to mess with science to mutate animals into human hybrids. Nights on the island were dangerous, but the animals were instructed in laws. This is a very twisty book for it‘s time and I can see why in this time they would have questioned the author.

BookLineNSinker Have you heard of this new one? I'm wondering if it'll be any good. I have it coming off hold on a week. 2y
Roary47 @BookLineNSinker I‘m actually reading that one soon for my hometown Bookclub. It looks pretty good. 🥰💛 2y
14 likes2 stack adds2 comments
blurb
SkeletonKey
post image

Currently reading for family bookclub. Wanted to read this one in preparation of the The Daughter of Doctor Moreau.

blurb
yoavshai
post image

#BookCoverChallenge
Day 190.
Here I will note 365 books (or as many as I will have before I get tired) that have shaped my taste in literature. No explanations, no reviews. Just the cover of the book.
I do not challenge anyone. You are all welcome to take part.

4 likes2 stack adds
review
Nebklvr
post image
Mehso-so

It had all of the makings of a creepy sci-fi but lacked the intensity.

Libby1 I LOVED it, but understand your comments. 3y
Nebklvr @Libby1 I have some more contemporary fantasy books with Moreau ties so will see if I like those. 3y
Libby1 @Nebklvr - fascinating. I‘m interested in hearing about them once you read them. 3y
32 likes3 comments
quote
smbaal
post image

I have withdrawn myself from the confusion of cities and multitudes, and spend my days surrounded by wise books, - bright windows in this life of ours, lit by the shining souls of men.

4 likes2 stack adds
blurb
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
post image

Thanks for the tag @eggs
?Take 5
?I don't scare easily, but 28 Days Later had such a slow, somber start and the atmosphere still gives me chills.
?"At the same time my eye caught my hand, thin so that it looked like a dirty skin-purse full of loose bones." The Island of Dr Moreau

Up to playing? @kezzlou85 @vlwelser @Gezemice

#thoughtfulthursday @MoonWitch94

MoonWitch94 Thanks for playing 🎃 4y
32 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
broughtyoubooks
post image
Mehso-so

Cool premise but I couldn't be made to care that much about it. Read the Madman's Daughter retelling ages ago, and from what I can remember that's a better read.

review
CoffeeNBooks
post image
Pickpick

A gothic horror about the potential for using science for unnatural means. Dr. Moreau creates unnatural animals on his island, and it doesn't end well.

TheNeverendingTBR Loved this! 4y
69 likes2 stack adds1 comment
blurb
CoffeeNBooks
post image

Saturday morning #coffeeandabook with my new favorite coffee flavor- chocolate hazelnut.

Pageturner1 that sounds delicious 😋 love hazelnut 4y
MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm Ooh! This is on my October TBR too! Hope you enjoy! ❤️ That coffee sounds delicious! 4y
AmyG Ooo I need to place an order. I am definitely going to get this one. 4y
See All 8 Comments
Cailey_Mac Ooo how does it compare to regular hazelnut coffee?? 4y
inthegreensandblues That coffee sounds good! I've been drinking their Jacked O Lantern pumpkin spice this month. 4y
CoffeeNBooks @Cailey_Mac I think the addition of chocolate makes it even better than regular hazelnut! 4y
CoffeeNBooks @AmyG It's so good! It really is my new favorite. I also got Mint Invaders, but I'm not sure I like it. 4y
AmyG I can‘t do mint in Tea or coffee. 😬 4y
91 likes2 stack adds8 comments
review
JoshuaLawrence20twenty
Pickpick

.

review
Jari-chan
post image
Pickpick

If you like animals this is an unpleasant book. Nevertheless, it's an important book. Wells shows us what comes when humankind goes to far in playing with evolution, genetics etc. This book shows again how well Wells knew humans and what they longe for. And who has to suffer for those dreams...

blurb
Schlinkles
post image

Stoked for this month‘s Tequila Mockingbird book club pick. I‘ve never read this before, but I‘m a fan of H.G. Wells.

55 likes1 stack add
review
AbbaZabba02
Pickpick

Book 101 of the year, finished Dec 4, Audio

About 5 chapters in I realized that the utterly rediculous cartoon "Spliced" that I really loved and used to watch at 2am when nursing my youngest is 100% based on this book.

Kind of a disturbing tale when you take it at a glance, but I enjoyed it. Victorian Era morality horrors are one of my favorite genres.

review
BarbaraBB
post image
Panpan

After a shipwreck Edward lands on an island in the Indian Ocean. Here he meets Dr. Moreau, a brilliant but controversial biologist who fled England because he had conducted prohibited experiments on animals. On the island he and his assistant Montgomery experiment with vivisection on animals.
It may be an interesting premise but not for me. The ending is the best part of the book I think.
So, only 1 #LuckyStar for me! ⭐️

#MOvember #1001books

Cinfhen Ha!! Fabulous review and AWESOME pic 😘😘😘 5y
batsy Love the pic and review! 5y
See All 20 Comments
AmyG Ha! And so creepy. 5y
Suet624 Great photo! 5y
Eggs ❤️❤️ the bookface 5y
Reviewsbylola At least you got a great picture from it!! 5y
youneverarrived Great photo though! 😆 5y
JennyM I love the bookface though!!! 5y
Graywacke Supercool picture 5y
Hooked_on_books Oooo, good bookface! 5y
Kalalalatja Perfect bookface 🙌 5y
Librarybelle Love the pic! 5y
readordierachel Awesome photo! 5y
emilyhaldi Love this!! 5y
vivastory Great bookface 👏🙌 5y
CarolynM 😍😍 5y
britt_brooke Nice book face! 💚 5y
Megabooks Love this picture!! It was adapted to a movie in the 90s, and I remember falling asleep several times during it, which made it all the more trippy. 5y
LeeRHarry Great photo! 😆 5y
77 likes2 stack adds20 comments
blurb
BarbaraBB
post image

#BookReport 45/19

According to plan I finished Beware of Pity (4*) and The Glass Bees (3*). Also I made a start with The Island of Doctor Moreau for the #1001books list. I am looking forward to an easy book to read alongside this one.

Megabooks I‘ve thought about reading The Island of Dr Moreau. Interested to read your thoughts!! 😊💜 (edited) 5y
Cinfhen Pretty photo!!! Impressed, you‘re staying true to your #WeeklyForecast 5y
arubabookwoman I have The Glass Bees on my Kindle, but have been putting off reading it because somehow I thought it was massive. It looks fairly short though. 5y
See All 11 Comments
BarbaraBB @arubabookwoman It‘s really short. And it‘s worth reading! 5y
vivastory I really hope you like Dr Moreau. It might be my favorite Wells. 5y
BarbaraBB @vivastory I hope too. I‘m not a fan of Wells 🤞 5y
Liz_M @arubabookwoman Don't confuse it with the tagged 1001 book, which is much longer. 😆😆😆 5y
BarbaraBB @Liz_M @arubabookwoman Lots of glass in the #1001books, there‘s also 5y
arubabookwoman You know, it was The Glass Bead Game I was thinking of. Have either of you read it? @Liz_M @BarbaraBB 5y
BarbaraBB I bailed on it decades ago. I haven‘t tried again since. @Liz_M will probably have read it! 5y
Liz_M @arubabookwoman @BarbaraBB I bailed on the audio book, but own a paper copy and will get to it......eventually. 😁 5y
63 likes11 comments
review
tjwill
post image
Mehso-so

It may be a gothic/sci-fi classic, but it‘s definitely not H.G. Wells‘ best work. Doctor Moreau‘s frightening experiments crossing types of animals—some with humans—haunts narrator Prendick. While there was a lot of action to follow, the language often felt stilted. He used the phrase “silly ass” at least 10 times (precursor to dumbass?), and what‘s with this uninspired simile?
Read via @SerialReader

#scarathlon #teamslaughter
+2 theme +1 post

blurb
Debdeb
post image

Making the most of the last of the summer sun, an audible walk to post some #litsylove ... I‘ve been lax these last few months but hopefully getting back into the swing of things now 🙂

blurb
MLRio
post image

More monsters, more mayhem 🐾🌊🧬 Lesson planning for next week.

15 likes2 stack adds
blurb
DeeLew
post image

New comic book. I‘m not familiar with the writer of the comic but it is illustrated by the fabulous Gabriel Rodríguez (he worked with Joe Hill on the Locke and Key series) Plus I love all of the stories of H.G. Wells. I‘m curious to see how this adaptation will go.

blurb
erzascarletbookgasm
post image

#JulyColdPlay #TheScientist

I would have gone for Victor Frankenstein, but I‘ve just posted about him a couple of days ago. So here‘s another ‘mad scientist‘, Doctor Moreau in the tagged book.

review
abbwatso
Mehso-so

A quick read!

review
OrangeMooseReads
post image
Mehso-so

I knew the basics of this book going in. It‘s H.G. Wells so it‘s got its issues, most I would like to just chalk up to the times, but I‘m afraid they were probably some of Wells‘s own thoughts as well since he does nothing through his characters to change opinions. Beyond all that it‘s an ok book. Short. Another classic off my list.

blurb
OrangeMooseReads
post image

1. The tagged.
2. Just finish Stonewall by Martin Duberman
3. Reading and listening to music, also binge watched some “trash” TV
#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

blurb
OrangeMooseReads
post image

Started a new book yesterday. I‘m about halfway through. I‘ve been meaning to post a picture of this small animal pantry one of the businesses in my city put up. It‘s along the path I walk. I think this is fantastic. Pet food can be so expensive. There are small bags of kibble and cans of wet food inside and as you see it‘s free. It‘s always stocked.
#bookfitnesschallenge

LibrarianJen That‘s so awesome! 🐈 🐕 🐾 5y
TNbookworm What a wonderful idea👌 5y
Crazeedi I love this, so good😻 5y
51 likes3 comments
review
The_Old_Astronomer
post image
Pickpick

I just read this to prepare to read The Strange Case of the Alchemist‘s Daughter. I‘ve never read anything by H.G. Wells, so I was really excited to read this. And it was awesome! This was a really fun story! I loved the characters, I loved the ending, I loved the style. Everything was great.

OnlyYoo This picture is terrifying 6y
The_Old_Astronomer @OnlyYoo I think it does a good job portraying the book 6y
5 likes2 comments
blurb
SqueakyChu
The Island of Dr. Moreau | Herbert George Wells
post image

Yes!! This was quite a fun read even though I‘m not that much of a science fiction fan. I did want to know what would become of Prendick after he ended up in that island with all of its strange characters. Who else enjoyed this book?

14 likes1 stack add
blurb
MotionChickness
post image

Library sale buys 🤗🙌🏻

#LibrarySale

zsuzsanna_reads ♥️ The Elegance of the Hedgehog 6y
MotionChickness @zsuzsanna_reads I put it back at a used book store a while ago and regretted it. Was happy to find it tonight! ☺️ Heard great things! 6y
BookishMarginalia Elegance of the Hedgehog 💜💜💜 6y
31 likes3 comments
quote
Lcsmcat
The Island of Doctor Moreau | H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
post image
blurb
TheNeverendingTBR
post image

The last one I got that was in a little baggy. 😍

I think that this Wells book might just be the oldest, can't wait to open it and get a good buzz of it! 👃

I'll post the others later or tomorrow, don't want to fog yer feed! ⚠️🖖

SqueakyChu I plan to read this book this month also! 6y
90 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
RedneckRebel154
Pickpick

Great stuff, far fetched but still mildly believable. The power struggles are great and you can understand why the man struggles to keep sane.

blurb
RedneckRebel154
post image

And continuing my H. G. Wells marathon... #hgwells #theislandofdoctormoreau

MaleficentBookDragon Welcome! 🎉 📚 6y
RedneckRebel154 Thanks you 6y
4 likes2 comments
review
Creadnorthey
post image
Pickpick

This classic read deserves its status- a good bit better than Wells‘ The Time Machine. I did find the allegorical end a bit stiff and wish I had a book club to discuss what that was all about. I also find it interesting that Moreau as a character only makes a few rare appearances- completely counter to my there-will-be-an-ultimate-show-down expectation. Shout out to Serial Reader that great app that allowed me to read this almost everywhere!

review
ViaggiatricePigra
post image
Pickpick

Pesavo di conoscere la storia che stavo per affrontare, invece sono rimasta piacevolmente sorpresa.

Recensione completa sul Blog
https://viaggiatricepigra.blogspot.com/2018/10/opinione-lisola-del-dottor-moreau...

blurb
ViaggiatricePigra
post image

Una lettura che mi incuriosiva da parecchio tempo; citata un po' ovunque è una storia che "sai", ma non la conosci davvero.
Breve, ma intensa e folle!
In questo romanzo ci troveremo catapultati su quest'isola misteriosa dove vivono strani esseri che non sono quello che sembrano!
Sono rimasta piacevolmente sorpresa dallo scorrere degli eventi narrati e (ancora una volta) dalla fantasia di Wells.

JazzFeathers Ancora non mi sono decisa a leggerlo, ma prima o poi lo farò. Che copertina fenomenale! Che edizione è? 6y
ViaggiatricePigra @JazzFeathers Mi sembra l'ultima della Feltrinelli😊 6y
3 likes2 comments
blurb
JazzFeathers
post image

Came across this adorable edition of The Island of Doctor Moreau. It's one of those smaller formats, all black and white.

blurb
GraesynFenix
The Island of Doctor Moreau | H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
post image

Tea and classics as I read up for our monthly horror and sci-fi themed book club at the #SantafeSpringsLibrary ;) #frightclub #keylimegingertea

review
starwolf
The Island of Doctor Moreau | H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
Pickpick

One of my all time faves.

1 like1 stack add
review
Libby1
The Island of Doctor Moreau | H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
post image
Pickpick

Which are the real beasts: humans or animals? I know which I‘d choose.

Aside from the sadly typical racism inherent in 19th century literature, I found this to be a creepy and imaginative read. I read this on the #SerialReader app.

Thanks for the opportunity to read this, @SerialReader .

79 likes2 stack adds