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The Island of Dr. Moreau

H.G. Wells,

Alan Lightman (Introduction)

Start date: August 1, 2023

Finish date: August 31, 2023

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Discussion leader: Lynn

Why we're reading this: August 2023 Revisit the Shelf Read

February 2016 Old School Group Read
[close] August 2023 Revisit the Shelf Read

February 2016 Old School Group Read

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What Members Thought

Dec 06, 2013 Laura rated it liked it

Shelves: british-literature, fiction-19th-century, e-books, viciados-em-livros, kindle, mtbr-challenge-2014, animals, book-and-movie, 1001-books-you-must-read-before-you, gutenberg

Free download available at eBooks@Adelaide.

Opening lines:
I do not propose to add anything to what has already been written concerning the loss of the “Lady Vain.” As everyone knows, she collided with a derelict when ten days out from Callao. The longboat, with seven of the crew, was picked up eighteen days after by H. M. gunboat “Myrtle,” and the story of their terrible privations has become quite as well known as the far more horrible “Medusa” case.

Two movie versions were made based on this boo ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Aug 31, 2012 AmberBug com* rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sn-to-post, favorite-author, favorites, classic

This book surprised me. I think everyone has heard of "The Island of Dr. Moreau" whether it be from the book, the movie or just the concept or reference. I knew what the book was about before reading it but really had no idea how creepy and detailed the book would be.

Looking at the history of it, I found out this was a banned book that most found “appalling” because of the subject matter. According to Wikipedia, “When the novel was written in 1896, there was much discussion in Europe about dege ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jul 25, 2012 Trisha rated it liked it

Shelves: classics, sci-fi

Definitely an interesting read, and certainly an early tale of the dangers and ethics of tampering with genetics. It also reminded me a little of "Frankenstein" in regard to the fact that Dr. Moreau would "create" these animal/human hybrids and then cast them off to fend for themselves on the island. It's certainly a clever story and I liked the POV, but I would like to have seen more depth to the story, maybe more backstory or interaction with the Beast Folk. Regardless, it is definitely a clas ...more

1 like · Like · see review