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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: Great book
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.
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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.
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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.
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Summary: Highly readable science fiction classic
Review: This book was very quick to read, and was a lot of fun. Normally I am pensive when I'm looking at reading 19th or early 20th century authors, but this is just a great book. The book presents difficult questions about animal testing, genetic testing, and other questions of ethics facing today's scientists and citizens. For sci-fi fans this is a must read.
Rating: 
Summary: The Island of Dr. Moreau
Review: Unfortunately, this book was not near as good as I had hoped - while the basis for "The Island of Dr. Moreau" is a good one, I don't feel that it was executed as well as it could have been. Wells simply did not go into enough detail of the goings-on of the island - only a brief look into Moreau's experiments was given, and the story really could have been better if Wells had gone into what happened after the Beast Men's "rebellion" of sorts. It's almost as if the reader does not get the full effect of what transpires on the island - only a brief overview of the happenings, and then it's over, leaving the reader to wonder "what happens next?". Although, still, the idea itself is quite original and intriguing - I only wish the author would have elabourated on it.
Rating:
Summary: The Island of Dr. Moreau
Review: Unfortunately, this book was not near as good as I had hoped - while the basis for "The Island of Dr. Moreau" is a good one, I don't feel that it was executed as well as it could have been. Wells simply did not go into enough detail of the goings-on of the island - only a brief look into Moreau's experiments was given, and the story really could have been better if Wells had gone into what happened after the Beast Men's "rebellion" of sorts. It's almost as if the reader does not get the full effect of what transpires on the island - only a brief overview of the happenings, and then it's over, leaving the reader to wonder "what happens next?". Although, still, the idea itself is quite original and intriguing - I only wish the author would have elabourated on it.
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Summary: They called Moreau their God
Review: Until I read this book, I didn't know that a serious novel about human like animals existed. Certainly H.G. Wells is not most well known as one of the fathers of sci-fi for this novel. It was one of his first, published in 1896, and the book lovers of the time must have really found this work disturbing and shocking. Maybe that's why The Island of Dr. Moreau has been playing catch up to The Time Machine and War of the Worlds ever since. I admit that I myself found the basic idea in this book very cruel, but I realized that the book covered other issues as well. Besides being the novel about an insane scientist who tries the hand at playing God, this book evokes thoughts of social responsibilty and freedom of all living things. Also, it shows that sometimes who we think of as being authority really have no right to be, and deals with anarchy and revolution. But it is the basic plot that has the most effect. Why does Moreau torture animals so that can make them in the image of man? Dr. Moreau beats Victor Frankenstein on who is a more of a nutcase. Frankenstein intended for something good to come out of his work. Moreau did his experiments just for curiosity. He didn't expect for his creations to have any real purpose. He didn't care for them. And yet he brainwashes his creations to fear and respect him, to treat him like a god, and follow his laws. And another thought occurs. What really seperates man from beast? What causes humans to sometime commit violent and brutal acts? What does that account for? When I read this novel, the reality of what genetic cloning may become years from now passed through my mind. If genetics had been an established science in the 1890's, Wells could of utilized it in this book, but he would probably have created a controversy beyond any proportion. But certainly the ignorance of genes back then was not his fault, and he came up with probably the best substition: vivisection. Being the substitute of what was unknown and likely more plausible, vivisection was more than enough to shock Well's audience of reading about the blasphemous idea of creating "Beast-People". I am certain that people in 1896 weren't ready for it. Neither are we. That's what I think is the main reason that The Island of Dr. Moreau isn't as popular as H.G. Wells other novels. I found, however, that this was a worthwhile read because its suspense and creepiness intrigued me, and it made me think of some social issues. If you're a person who can bear reading a grotesque story of cruelty and suffering, I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: The Island of Doctor Moreau
Review: Vivisection is the practice of performing medical experiments on live animals. In The Island of Doctor Moreau, H.G. Wells tells the story of a mad doctor who does just that but also does something more. He tries to make them into people!
Robert Prendick ship is wrecked and he is rescued by a man named by Montgomery, who turns out to be a assistant to the infamous Dr. Moreau. Little does Prendick know of the horrors that await him on the island that he is being taken to. on the island he meets the Beast Men: the results of Moreau's grotesque and terrifying experiments. Eventually, the Beast Men rebel against Moreau and Montgomery, killing them and leaving Prendick alone on the isle. One day, he manages to escape and is rescued once again and is brought back to society. People think he is insane and he is permanently scarred from his experience on the Island.
From action packed chases through a tropical jungle, to Prendick contemplating his situation on the island, this book is an extremely good read. It really makes your think how far man should be allowed to meddle with the course of nature. Some other good books by this author would be War of the Worlds and The Time Machine. They are both science fiction novels, like this one.
Ages 12 and up
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