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: Once again, do NOT WATCH THE MOVIE FIRST!!
Review: This book is less known than Wells' other works like The War of the Worlds and The Time Machine, but in many ways it exceeds these other, more popular works. This novel is a story essentially about the nature of humanity. What is it that makes us people? What, exactly, separates man from the beasts? Wells' insidious Dr. Moreau is the perfect character to explore these questions as he has no conscience. As you read this book you find yourself identifying more with the "beasts" than with the Dr. or his assistant; and you find yourself wondering whether or not the noble beasts are in fact more human than the human characters. This work is decades before its' time; as today genetic research and animal rights are garnering more attention and headlines. I believe Wells was somehow able to see these issues decades ago when he wrote this story; and it remains one of the most salient writings on the topic to date. I heartily endorse this book for any fan of science fiction. Enjoy!
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: Chilling Horror Story of Man's Misuse of Science
Review: Years ago I avidly read the thrilling fiction of Edgar Allan Poe, Jules Verne, and H. G. Wells. All three authors created highly imaginative, sometimes frightening stories. H. G. Wells was the more modern author and with some revisions to reflect modern biology and medicine, The Island of Dr. Moreau (1896) could easily be a contemporary horror story. In this tale Wells employed the narrative style characteristic of nineteenth century fiction. The story is told by the only survivor of three men drifting aimlessly at sea with little water and food. The rescued Edward Prendick finds himself on a ship with a most unusual cargo - a menagerie of animals - all destined for a remote island. Unexpectedly, as a fellow traveler disembarks along with the caged animals, Prendick is forcefully cast ashore on this strange island, the island of Dr. Moreau. Wells allows Prendick (and the reader) to gradually unveil the horrifying mystery of Dr. Moreau's isolated laboratory. This exciting blend of science fiction, horror, and mystery is surprisingly suspenseful. H. G. Wells is best known for The War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man, The Time Machine, and The Island of Dr. Moreau. These four superb science fiction novels share the common theme of man overwhelmed by the potential of science for harm and evil. His entertaining stories are surprisingly provocative. In his later years H. G. Wells became increasingly pessimistic about man's future. He refused to leave his home in Regent's Park during the German bombing of London. He died in 1946. Hint: When searching for editions by title, check under Dr. Moreau and Dr Moreau and Doctor Moreau. These different spellings can yield different results.
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: 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: 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: 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: Great book
Review: This is a book about a sailor named Edward Prendick who was traveling aboard a ship that was lost by a collision. There was only three men, but one went crazy and fell off the dinghy taking another man with him. Only Prendick remained, and he was saved by a passing boat and the man who saved him was Montgomery. The boat was headed for Hawaii but for some unfortunate reason Prendick and Montagomery had to get off on a small island occupied by Dr. Moreau. Dr. Moreau is a scientist, who has been forced out of England for his strange experiments. His experiments consist of taking animals and giving them human like intelligence and form. So now Prendick is stuck on the island with half human half aniaml creatures and that's when the adventure starts. I had a good time reading this book because it is filled with exciting adventures and action. This book is a great book for anyone to read. My favorite part of the book is when all the creatures turn against Dr. Moreau. I liked this book a lot and I have nothing bad to say about it. I would recomend this book to anybody who likes science fiction books.
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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