The Island of Dr. Moreau (SF Masterworks) - Hardcover

Wells, H. G.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0575095164 ISBN 13: 9780575095168

Publisher: Gollancz, 2010

Synopsis

H. G. Wells' terrifying classic tale of science run amok

Edward Prendick is shipwrecked and finds himself stranded on an island in the Pacific. Here he meets the sinister Dr. Moreau, a vivisectionist driven out of Britain in disgrace. Strange events soon cause Prendick to uncover the full horror of Dr Moreau's activities on the island. This science fiction classic mixes discussion on the divide between humans and the animal kingdom and chilling macabre horror in an unrivaled fashion. Its questions about how far science should go will ring as true today as they did when it was first published in 1896.

About this title

Review:

A shipwreck in the South Seas, a palm-tree paradise where a mad doctor conducts vile experiments, animals that become human and then "beastly" in ways they never were before--it's the stuff of high adventure. It's also a parable about Darwinian theory, a social satire in the vein of Jonathan Swift (Gulliver's Travels), and a bloody tale of horror. Or, as H. G. Wells himself wrote about this story, "The Island of Dr. Moreau is an exercise in youthful blasphemy. Now and then, though I rarely admit it, the universe projects itself towards me in a hideous grimace. It grimaced that time, and I did my best to express my vision of the aimless torture in creation." This colorful tale by the author of The Time Machine, The Invisible Man, and The War of the Worlds lit a firestorm of controversy at the time of its publication in 1896.

From the Publisher:

Founded in 1906 by J.M. Dent, the Everyman Library has always tried to make the best books ever written available to the greatest number of people at the lowest possible price. Unique editorial features that help Everyman Paperback Classics stand out from the crowd include: a leading scholar or literary critic's introduction to the text, a biography of the author, a chronology of her or his life and times, a historical selection of criticism, and a concise plot summary. All books published since 1993 have also been completely restyled: all type has been reset, to offer a clarity and ease of reading unique among editions of the classics; a vibrant, full-color cover design now complements these great texts with beautiful contemporary works of art. But the best feature must be Everyman's uniquely low price. Each Everyman title offers these extensive materials at a price that competes with the most inexpensive editions on the market-but Everyman Paperbacks have durable binding, quality paper, and the highest editorial and scholarly standards.

About this edition

• Publisher: Gollancz
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0575095164
• ISBN 13: 9780575095168
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224