54 pages 1 hour read

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2022

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Book Brief

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Silvia Moreno-Garcia

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2022
Book Details
Pages

448

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Yucatán Peninsula • 19th century

Publication Year

2022

Publisher

Del Rey

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is set in 19th-century Mexico and follows Carlota, the daughter of Doctor Moreau, who lives in isolation on a remote estate where her father conducts experiments creating human-animal hybrids. The novel intertwines themes of desire, colonialism, and power as Carlota navigates complex relationships, including with her father's assistant Montgomery and Eduardo, the son of a wealthy patron. This book contains references to alcohol addiction, physical violence, and suicidal ideation.

Mysterious

Dark

Contemplative

Emotional

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

3.8

36,571 ratings

55%

Loved it

36%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia offers an intriguing, gothic reimagining filled with lush prose and vibrant settings. Critics appreciate the character depth and thematic resonance, though some find the pacing uneven. While the novel's atmosphere captivates, its narrative structure occasionally lacks cohesion. Overall, it's a compelling read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Daughter of Doctor Moreau?

Readers who savor gothic fiction with lush, atmospheric settings will be engrossed by Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s The Daughter of Doctor Moreau. Comparable to H.G. Wells’s The Island of Doctor Moreau and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, this novel appeals to fans of historical reimaginings laced with elements of science fiction and suspense.

3.8

36,571 ratings

55%

Loved it

36%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Character List

Carlota Moreau

One of the protagonists, Carlota Moreau is a 20-year-old woman whose perspective narrates part of the story. She is the sheltered yet free-spirited daughter of Doctor Moreau, living on the Yaxaktun estate.

The other protagonist, Montgomery Laughton provides a worldly counterpoint to Carlota's innocence. He has a traumatic past and develops a complicated relationship with Carlota while staying at Yaxaktun.

A morally ambiguous character and father of Carlota, Doctor Moreau is an innovative scientist whose experiments with hybrids are central to the plot. He is both protective and controlling in his relationship with Carlota.

The son of a wealthy planter, Eduardo Lizalde is a handsome young man who becomes infatuated with Carlota. His arrogance and entitlement often drive his actions and perspective towards Carlota.

A powerful Mexican landowner, Hernando Lizalde owns the Yaxaktun estate and views the hybrids as potential labor resources. His pragmatic and ruthless pursuit of wealth and power underscores his antagonistic role in the story.

Book Details
Pages

448

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Yucatán Peninsula • 19th century

Publication Year

2022

Publisher

Del Rey

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

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