March/Wells Book: 'The Island of Dr Moreau'

[Scheherazade]

In March, we are reading The Island of Dr Moreau by HG Wells (The initials stand for Herbert George)!

The science hangs like a gathering fog in a valley, a fog which begins nowhere and goes nowhere, an incidental, unmeaning inconvenience to passers-by.

The Online Copy

Book Club Procedures

[Scheherazade]

Started reading this last night, and, I really like Well's writing style. This is the second Wells book I am reading (The War of the Worlds being the first) and in this book as well, he grips the reader with his technique and story line from the very first page.

[papayahed]

I just got the book last night.

hehe they only had the book with the movie plastered all over the cover - darn it to heck!!!! Luckily it's a library book or I wouldn't have touched it with a 10 foot pole.

[Shea]

Hi everyone! I'm doing better.

This book was on my reading list for my teaching exams so I was happy when I found that you guys had voted for it. I just finished it this afternoon, and I really enjoyed it.
Like Scher said, it's quite gripping, and with that and the fact that it's short (it only took me a couple of days), I hope I can convince Leo to read it. But I have a feeling that he will only get to watching the movie.


SPOILER
Even my little knowledge of science tells me that Moreau's experiments are impossible, but willingly suspending my disbelief, I like the exploration of nature and it's effects. Even in reality, animals can be trained, but every once in a while their natural instincts kick in. Like when the friendly family dog suddenly attacks. Wells explores this on the human side too. While on the island, Prendick has been "trained" to be wary of the creatures surrounding him and carries this over back to civilization. But finally, he becomes more naturally adapted to people once more.

Anyone know of what the "hot topics" that were being discussed at the time that might have inspired Wells to write such a book?

[genoveva]

Just wanted to say that I picked up the book today at the library, and I'm hoping to participate in the book discussion. I saw the movie several years ago, and am excited to read the book! It blows my mind that it came out in 1896! The book jacket says that it is "intended as a commentary on Darwin's theory of evolution".

[Shea]

"intended as a commentary on Darwin's theory of evolution".

Of course! I don't know why I hadn't thought of that. Thanks for sharing genoveva! I need to ponder that a while.

[genoveva]

So, when do we start discussing the book? Do we do it here or just in the live chat, and when? Thanks for letting me know. I'm only on page 50, but already a few things have come up that I'd like to talk about.

[Erna]

I like Wells and have this book on the shelf, so I will try to join. I already read 'The war of the Worlds' and 'The time machine' and liked those. I'm gonna start reading tonight!

[Shea]

So, when do we start discussing the book? Do we do it here or just in the live chat, and when? Thanks for letting me know. I'm only on page 50, but already a few things have come up that I'd like to talk about.

You can start to discuss it any time you like. Just be sure to note if you've got any spoilers. I've already finished, so talk away!

[papayahed]

i'm about 3/4 through with it. So far it's ironic that Moreau casts off the creatures when they fall short of human characteristics. But when he describes the human characteristics a good deal of humans fall short. hmmm.... I wish I brought the book to work today, I could have copied the passage.

[genoveva]

Well, I'm only at the bit where Prendick arms himself with a chair arm (w/nail) and runs away from Moreau's dwelling because he is concerned (paranoid?) that they might vivisect him!! Ew! That's the chapter right after he hears a man crying and thinks that they are vivisecting a human...

Earlier, I think it's really interesting how the author blatantly describes these "creatures" as having the mark of the beast. As if to say this is a devilish act & they are of the devil. Will post the passage later...(left the book upstairs and am too lazy to go get it!)

THIS PART COULD BE A SPOILER


I'm wondering if there will be any repercussion for Prendick killing that creature that was chasing him...I can see how it was self defense, but, he shouldn't have been there in the first place, plus, later he does wonder if the creature was just trying to catch him and warn him or keep him from going back to Moreau's dwelling (for his own good, so he doesn't get vivisected himself)...

[Shea]

But when he describes the human characteristics a good deal of humans fall short. hmmm.... I wish I brought the book to work today, I could have copied the passage.

Do you mean Well's description or Moreau's?

[Shea]

Sometimes it is difficult to tell what exactly is going on. It's kind of neat, as a reader you feel kind of lost running around in the jungle of the island like Prendick.

THIS PART COULD BE A SPOILER


I'm wondering if there will be any repercussion for Prendick killing that creature that was chasing him...I can see how it was self defense, but, he shouldn't have been there in the first place, plus, later he does wonder if the creature was just trying to catch him and warn him or keep him from going back to Moreau's dwelling (for his own good, so he doesn't get vivisected himself)...

He doesn't actually kill him, but the creature is significant and I don't want to spoil the later plot for you.

[Shea]

SPOILER

After pondering the Darwin influence, I was thinking, did Wells mean for Moreau to sort of represent Darwin? I honestly haven't studied Darwin, so let me know if I'm wrong. If Darwin says that humans evolved from monkeys and Moreau was trying to make more 'human-like' animals, then Moreau was just trying to speed up evolution. If this is what Wells is saying, then he doesn't like Darwin at all. 'Enhanced evolution' doesn't work, nature takes over, and Moreau/Darwin is killed by his own creation. Not only that but a good point is made here by genoveva,

Earlier, I think it's really interesting how the author blatantly describes these "creatures" as having the mark of the beast. As if to say this is a devilish act & they are of the devil.

[papayahed]

Do you mean Well's description or Moreau's?

Moreau's description. When he talks about the creatures enduring pain in order to become "human".

Finished the book last night. Reminds me of an old commercial - It's not nice to fool with Mother Nature! (I think it was for butter).

I haven't studied Darwin either but it seemed to me the message was - we are what we are, it takes more then a lifetime to evolve and surgically altering doesn't change our true nature.

Damn it I really don't want to read Darwin can someone explain???