The Island of Doctor Moreau


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.2 stars; 646 reviews)

The Island of Doctor Moreau is an 1896 science fiction novel written by H. G. Wells, addressing ideas of society and community, human nature and identity, religion, Darwinism, and eugenics.

When the novel was written in the late 19th century, England's scientific community was engulfed by debates on animal vivisection. Interest groups were even formed to tackle the issue: the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection was formed two years after the publication of the novel. The novel is presented as a discovered manuscript, introduced by the narrator's nephew; it then 'transcribes' the tale. (Summary from Wikipedia) (4 hr 39 min)

Chapters

INTRODUCTION 2:56 Read by Alex Patterson
IN THE DINGEY OF THE "LADY VAIN" 5:53 Read by madeupname
THE MAN WHO WAS GOING NOWHERE 7:06 Read by Laura M.D.
THE STRANGE FACE 10:08 Read by bignate_2000
AT THE SCHOONER'S RAIL 6:48 Read by Cori Samuel
THE MAN WHO HAD NOWHERE TO GO 7:50 Read by martyd
THE EVIL-LOOKING BOATMEN 9:45 Read by martyd
THE LOCKED DOOR 9:12 Read by martyd
THE CRYING OF THE PUMA 6:49 Read by Stephan Möbius
THE THING IN THE FOREST 22:14 Read by Stephan Möbius
THE CRYING OF THE MAN 8:01 Read by Meredith Hughes
THE HUNTING OF THE MAN 12:11 Read by Meredith Hughes
THE SAYERS OF THE LAW 17:45 Read by Meredith Hughes
THE PARLEY 11:00 Read by Cori Samuel
DOCTOR MOREAU EXPLAINS 28:48 Read by John Gonzalez
CONCERNING THE BEAST FOLK 10:59 Read by Alex Foster
HOW THE BEAST FOLK TASTE BLOOD 26:50 Read by JemmaBlythe
A CATASTROPHE 13:25 Read by JemmaBlythe
THE FINDING OF MOREAU 7:54 Read by clarknova
MONTGOMERY'S BANK HOLIDAY 14:13 Read by neo45
ALONE WITH THE BEAST FOLK 9:24 Read by clarknova
THE REVERSION OF THE BEAST FOLK 21:37 Read by clarknova
THE MAN ALONE 9:15 Read by JemmaBlythe

Reviews


(2 stars)

A classic story. The changing readers made it hard to really get into the story. With one reader the story is more cohesive and seems like a single work but broken up between several people with different voices and styles makes it a hard listen in long sittings. ESPECIALLY chapters 16 & 17. MY GOODNESS! How in the world did that woman not have her recording thrown out after the first 2 minutes. I know it’s volunteer readers but it sounds like someone talking through a hole in their throat into one of those voice things but with somehow less emotion. I ended up looking up those chapters and reading them myself then got back into the audiobook. I’d love if someone would redo those chapters with an actual human being instead of a parrot Dr. Moreau got his hands on.


(2.5 stars)

I very much enjoyed this book, but the change in narrators was distracting. The lady reading the chapters "How The Animals Taste Blood" and "Catastrophe" was especially hard to listen to as her voice is grating and she does not read with much emotion.


(3 stars)

I hated the narrator Gemma. Her voice is low, monotone and robotic. There needs to be some quality control here. Not all voices, are suited for decent narration. I notice, other books, that have heavy, Indian accents reading too. It's not racist, to expect clear, concise and God forbid, some interesting voice intonations too! Librivox is silly to accept everyone,what next, allow an 4 year old, with heavy foreign accent to narrate.

great story


(4.5 stars)

Love this book and author. My only problem is Jemma Blythe her voice is scratchy and at times inaudible. The worst part is that she does some of the most important chapters. She also ruined parts of The Odyssey.


(3 stars)

Chapter 3 read by bignate, I believe, is when I got lost; couldn't hear half of what he said then he'd raise his voice startlingly(and not necessary) ... Kind of hard to keep your attention with all the different readers...

Mostly Good


(4 stars)

this was fairly well done, my only complaint would be that it's a a bit wearing listening to the several chapters that JemmaBlythe reads, her voice is too scratchy and she did some of the longer chapters

to be expected


(4 stars)

It's a chilling read if you're an animal person, and still interesting if you're not. There are a few readers who were slightly more difficult to hear but I didn't have much trouble. the narrative doesn't require much as far as intonation or inflection so much of the readers could do pretty well without losing much of the tone


(5 stars)

This book is a classic of Western Racist Imperialism. I love it. Dr. Moreauis an example of the do good crusading liberal who is hell bent on perfecting the lesser people around him. In the process he created a hell for himself and those he is trying to 'help'