0
    • Elementary Secondary Higher Ed Common Reads
    0 0
    Download high-resolution image

    The Island of Dr. Moreau

    A Novel

    Part of Vintage Classics

    Author H.G. Wells
    Introduction by Elizabeth Kolbert
    Ebook
    Knopf | Vintage
    On sale Jun 24, 2025 | 176 Pages | 9798217006939
    Grades 9-12 + AP/IB
    Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies

    See Additional Formats
    A visionary, shocking depiction of man's relationship to beast, first published in 1896 by the author of The War of the Worlds. With a new introduction by Elizabeth Kolbert.

    Alone and adrift in the Pacific, Edward Prendick is rescued by a ship carrying an odd cargo of wild animals to an uncharted island. Though he is grateful for the hositality of the animals' keeper, Montgomery, and of Montgomery's employer, Dr. Moreau, he begins to be alarmed by the strangeness of the island--inhuman screams that keep him up at night, and bizarre beasts that roam the land. As Prendick digs deeper into the workings of the island, he finds that Dr. Moreau is more sinister than he seems: his torturous experiments in vivisection have thrown him from polite society, and he has developed these experiments on the island to truly horrifying results. As Dr. Moreau's tight control over his domain breaks down, his Beast Folk begin to show themselves in shocking ways.
    H.G. Wells was born in Bromley, Kent, in 1866. After an education repeatedly interrupted by his family’s financial problems, he eventually found work as a teacher at a succession of schools, where he began to write his first stories.
    Wells became a prolific writer with a diverse output, of which the famous works are his science fiction novels. These are some of the earliest and most influential examples of the genre, and include classics such as The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds. Most of his books very well-received, and had a huge influence on many younger writers, including George Orwell and Isaac Asimov. Wells also wrote many popular non-fiction books, and used his writing to support the wide range of political and social causes in which he had an interest, although these became increasingly eccentric towards the end of his life.
    Twice-married, Wells had many affairs, including a ten-year liaison with Rebecca West that produced a son. He died in London in 1946. View titles by H.G. Wells

    About

    A visionary, shocking depiction of man's relationship to beast, first published in 1896 by the author of The War of the Worlds. With a new introduction by Elizabeth Kolbert.

    Alone and adrift in the Pacific, Edward Prendick is rescued by a ship carrying an odd cargo of wild animals to an uncharted island. Though he is grateful for the hositality of the animals' keeper, Montgomery, and of Montgomery's employer, Dr. Moreau, he begins to be alarmed by the strangeness of the island--inhuman screams that keep him up at night, and bizarre beasts that roam the land. As Prendick digs deeper into the workings of the island, he finds that Dr. Moreau is more sinister than he seems: his torturous experiments in vivisection have thrown him from polite society, and he has developed these experiments on the island to truly horrifying results. As Dr. Moreau's tight control over his domain breaks down, his Beast Folk begin to show themselves in shocking ways.

    Author

    H.G. Wells was born in Bromley, Kent, in 1866. After an education repeatedly interrupted by his family’s financial problems, he eventually found work as a teacher at a succession of schools, where he began to write his first stories.
    Wells became a prolific writer with a diverse output, of which the famous works are his science fiction novels. These are some of the earliest and most influential examples of the genre, and include classics such as The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds. Most of his books very well-received, and had a huge influence on many younger writers, including George Orwell and Isaac Asimov. Wells also wrote many popular non-fiction books, and used his writing to support the wide range of political and social causes in which he had an interest, although these became increasingly eccentric towards the end of his life.
    Twice-married, Wells had many affairs, including a ten-year liaison with Rebecca West that produced a son. He died in London in 1946. View titles by H.G. Wells

    Additional formats

    Other books in this series

    Related Articles

    Mental Health Awareness Month Resources
    General

    Mental Health Awareness Month Resources

    May is Mental Health Awareness Month and educators are increasingly aware that integrating social-emotional learning into the curriculum is critical if we want students to succeed both in and out of the classroom. Download the thematic educator guides on Teaching About Anxiety and Mindfulness and Teaching About Student Wellness. Explore our specially curated collections on

    Read more

    Mental Health Awareness Month Resources

    General
    Books for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Book Covers: 9780593731703 MY DOCUMENTS (RH) 9780593804872 A GUARDIAN AND A THIEF (Knopf) 9780593298381 WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM (Penguin) 9781603095747 IT RHYMES WITH TAKEI (IDW)
    Asian American History Literature Sociology

    Books for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

    Each May, we honor the stories, histories, and cultures of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Below is a selection of acclaimed fiction and nonfiction books by AANHPI creators to share with your students this month and throughout the year. AANHPI Creators – Middle School titles AANHPI Creators – High School titles .

    Read more

    Books for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

    Asian American History Literature Sociology

    Penguin Random House Secondary Education

    © 2026 Penguin Random House

    Back to Top
    0
    Wish List (0)