Rating: 
Summary: Thought-provoking horror
Review: A shipwreck survivor finds himself trapped on an island where a mad scientist is conducting horrible experiments to transform animals into men. This slim volume is both compulsively readable and dense with thought-provoking elements. I did not expect the visceral, brutal quality of the more nightmarish sequences to be rendered so graphically and effectively in a 19th century novel. Small wonder that it caused controversy when it was published. But the novel offers more than just brilliant horror. Wells's story is also a parable on what it is to be human and the role of religion in a society. Excellent.
Rating:
Summary: Perhaps Wells' Finest Novel
Review: Although it is less often read than such Wells novels as THE WAR OF THE WORLDS, the basic story of THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU is very well known through several extremely loose film adaptations. Pendrick, a British scientist, is shipwrecked--and by chance finds himself on an isolated island where Dr. Moreau and his assistant Montgomery are engaged in a series of experiments. They are attempting to transform animals into manlike beings.Wells, a social reformer, was a very didactic writer, and his novels reflect his thoughts and theories about humanity. Much of Wells writing concerns (either directly or covertly) social class, but while this exists in MOREAU it is less the basic theme than an undercurrent. At core, the novel concerns the then-newly advanced theory of natural selection--and then works to relate how that theory impacts man's concept of God. Wells often touched upon this, and in several novels he broaches the thought that if mankind evolved "up" it might just as easily evolve "down," but nowhere in his work is this line of thought more clearly and specifically seen than here. At times Wells' determination to teach his reader can overwhelm; at times it can become so subtle that it is nothing short of absolutely obscure. But in THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU, Wells achieves a perfect balance of the two extremes, even going so far as to balance the characters in such a way that not even the narrator emerges as entirely sympathetic. It is a remarkable achievement, and in this sense I consider MOREAU possibly the best of Wells work: the novel is as interesting for the story it tells as it is for still very relevant themes it considers. It is also something of an oddity among Wells work, for while Wells often included elements of horror and savagery in his novels, MOREAU is not so much horrific as it is disturbingly gruesome and occasionally deliberately distasteful. This is not really a book than you can read and then put away: it lingers in your mind in a most unsettling way. Strongly recommended. GFT, Amazon Reviewer
Rating: 
Summary: "None escape..." (4.5 stars)
Review: I never expected to enjoy this book so much. It didn't really seem like something I would enjoy. I admit that I'm not the biggest fan when it comes to science fiction. I ended up reading "The Island of Dr. Moreau" by H.G. Wells for a fiction class in college. The results were unbelievable, as I ended up really loving it. Edward Prendick is stranded on an island with a mad scientist, Dr. Moreau, and his assistant, Montgomery, who are performing horrendous and terrible experiments that lead to beast-like creatures that talk and behave like men. As the days go by, Prendick sees horrifying things that he will never be able to forget. This is Edward Prendick's story, and the account that you are about to witness is chilling and unforgettable. I really enjoyed this novel. I enjoyed it because it proves to be a book with different layers and hidden meanings. Sure, on the surface it appears as your everyday science fiction novel filled with thrills and excitement. However, there's a deeper meaning behind it all. What is that? Well, I'm not about to divulge that to you! That's part of the fun in reading this. The great thing about this story is that you can still enjoy it even if you don't feel like figuring out Wells' hidden meaning behind it all. It appeals to advanced readers and to those who are not as advanced. There's a little something for everyone. "The Island of Dr. Moreau" is a very engaging and well-written classic. Wells doesn't hold back when it comes to dishing out deep symbolisym and exciting action. If you're looking for an interesting read, I highly recommend that you check it out. A great story that can be read over and over again.
Rating:
Summary: "None escape..." (4.5 stars)
Review: I never expected to enjoy this book so much. It didn't really seem like something I would enjoy. I admit that I'm not the biggest fan when it comes to science fiction. I ended up reading "The Island of Dr. Moreau" by H.G. Wells for a fiction class in college. The results were unbelievable, as I ended up really loving it. Edward Prendick is stranded on an island with a mad scientist, Dr. Moreau, and his assistant, Montgomery, who are performing horrendous and terrible experiments that lead to beast-like creatures that talk and behave like men. As the days go by, Prendick sees horrifying things that he will never be able to forget. This is Edward Prendick's story, and the account that you are about to witness is chilling and unforgettable. I really enjoyed this novel. I enjoyed it because it proves to be a book with different layers and hidden meanings. Sure, on the surface it appears as your everyday science fiction novel filled with thrills and excitement. However, there's a deeper meaning behind it all. What is that? Well, I'm not about to divulge that to you! That's part of the fun in reading this. The great thing about this story is that you can still enjoy it even if you don't feel like figuring out Wells' hidden meaning behind it all. It appeals to advanced readers and to those who are not as advanced. There's a little something for everyone. "The Island of Dr. Moreau" is a very engaging and well-written classic. Wells doesn't hold back when it comes to dishing out deep symbolisym and exciting action. If you're looking for an interesting read, I highly recommend that you check it out. A great story that can be read over and over again.
Rating:
Summary: "None escape..." (4.5 stars)
Review: I never expected to enjoy this book so much. It didn't really seem like something I would enjoy. I admit that I'm not the biggest fan when it comes to science fiction. I ended up reading "The Island of Dr. Moreau" by H.G. Wells for a fiction class in college. The results were unbelievable, as I ended up really loving it. Edward Prendick is stranded on an island with a mad scientist, Dr. Moreau, and his assistant, Montgomery, who are performing horrendous and terrible experiments that lead to beast-like creatures that talk and behave like men. As the days go by, Prendick sees horrifying things that he will never be able to forget. This is Edward Prendick's story, and the account that you are about to witness is chilling and unforgettable. I really enjoyed this novel. I enjoyed it because it proves to be a book with different layers and hidden meanings. Sure, on the surface it appears as your everyday science fiction novel filled with thrills and excitement. However, there's a deeper meaning behind it all. What is that? Well, I'm not about to divulge that to you! That's part of the fun in reading this. The great thing about this story is that you can still enjoy it even if you don't feel like figuring out Wells' hidden meaning behind it all. It appeals to advanced readers and to those who are not as advanced. There's a little something for everyone. "The Island of Dr. Moreau" is a very engaging and well-written classic. Wells doesn't hold back when it comes to dishing out deep symbolisym and exciting action. If you're looking for an interesting read, I highly recommend that you check it out. A great story that can be read over and over again.
Rating:
Summary: Long Before...
Review: Long before modern science mapped the human DNA structure, created clones, and basically turned Mother Nature upside down, there was this tale by the prophetic sci-fi writer, H.G. Wells. I say prophetic becuase that's exactly what his tales have been: prophecies. Not prophecies of humanity's distant (and not so distant) future, but rather warning of what could happen if we fail to heed the warnings of the Earth, and it's silent cries of suffering. Is it any wonder that the man had "Damn you all, I told you so" engraved upon his tombstone? "The Island of Dr. Moreau" is another such tale in that it shows the dangers of tampering with the forces of nature which we have yet to understand, and the consequences which can follow in it's wake. Kepp your mind open when reading this story as hopefully you'll be able to see the warning before it's too late.
Rating:
Summary: A classic and fun to read
Review: Since the book is pretty old, the science might be a little bit outdated. But if you can suspend your disbelief, Wells will take you on an exciting ride. The characters are believable, and the island is frightening. It is a story of human nature (both in our connection to animal instincts as well as our desire to touch the divine or become god). Like other classics of the time, it talks about the horrors from the misuse of science (similar to Frankenstein by Mary Shelly and Wells' The Invisible Man). It is a fast read and always keeps the reader on their toes. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: A classic and fun to read
Review: Since the book is pretty old, the science might be a little bit outdated. But if you can suspend your disbelief, Wells will take you on an exciting ride. The characters are believable, and the island is frightening. It is a story of human nature (both in our connection to animal instincts as well as our desire to touch the divine or become god). Like other classics of the time, it talks about the horrors from the misuse of science (similar to Frankenstein by Mary Shelly and Wells' The Invisible Man). It is a fast read and always keeps the reader on their toes. I highly recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting idea/Old-fashioned horror novel
Review: The strange story of Edward Prendick, who is picked up in the beginning of the story as the lone survivor of an accident at sea. The crew of the ship that saves him, however, is unhappy with the other passengers: a Mr. Montgomery and his strange helper, and a cargo of wild animals. Prendick is forced off the ship when Montgomery and the animals disboard at a small island. Although unwelcome, he is taken into the care of the master of the island, the strange and reclusive Dr. Moreau. Prendick soon learns of the horrific research being performed there by the doctor.
Interesting as an old horror novel, and the story is compelling enough. As seems to be typical of many similar novels from the time (late 1800's) the idea for the story is drawn from scientific ideas then prevalent. Readers who enjoy Jules Verne would probably also like this book, although it's generally darker and more pessimistic than Verne. (I was most surprised to realize this book was the inspiration for a bizzare 80's song entitled "No Spill Blood" by Oingo Boingo.)
Rating:
Summary: Timeless classic on the plasticity of living things
Review: There are two things I associated with H.G. Wells. One is The Time Machine, which of course was the primary inspiration for my all-time favourite TV show, Doctor Who. The other is The Island Of Dr. Moreau, which like the Time Machine, I saw as a pioneer literary work in science fiction. After being picked up from the dinghy of the Lady Vain by a trader ship, Edward Prendick goes to a small unchartered island in the Pacific, where he finds some very strange looking natives, including a serving man with furred pointed ears. The island is run by Dr. Moreau. Could this be the same Dr. Moreau who had to leave England in a hurry because of a scandal involving experimentation on dogs? The contrast between man and animal is one theme here, as seen in the natives' laws: "Not to go on all Fours; that is the Law. Are we not men?" or "Not to claw Bark of Trees; that is the Law. Are we not men?" No we are Devo. Sorry, wrong reference. Prendick is also called a "five man," as in five fingers. What makes men different from animals? Reasoning, language, being bipedal, trimmed nails, and sophisticated in manner, although that last point is certainly debatable. However, most people are so keen to see this as a pioneering sci-fi literary miss the intellectual background. After Darwin's theory of evolution started to crack the foundations of Victorian and religious thinking. It seemed that we were closer to apes than to God. However, humanism also reared its head again, and Moreau becomes another Dr. Frankenstein in playing God. Small wonder why Wells later called this a "an exercise in youthful blasphemy," though it's interesting that he initially became a disciple of pro-evolution scientist Thomas Huxley--in the novel, Prendick himself claims to be a student of Huxley. So far, this book has been remade into at least four movies, none of which have faithfully adapted it. There was even a Dr. Who story, Timelash, which borrowed heavily from it, and the theme of man usurping God's place at his own peril comes through. This book has some relevancy today, as stated in the afterword by Brian Aldiss: 'The spirit of Dr. Moreau is alive and well and living in these United States. These days, he would be state-funded.'
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