The Daughter of Doctor Moreau

March 7, 2022
In this thorny riff on The Island of Doctor Moreau, bestseller Moreno-Garcia (Mexican Gothic) interweaves several threads in 19th-century Mexico. Carlota, the naive daughter of a mad scientist bent on creating a race of hybrid animal-humans in remote Yaxaktun, strains against the boundaries of her life as she searches for love and connection beyond the world her father has engineered to contain her; Montgomery, a caretaker who self-medicates with alcohol in order to cope with a tragic past, pines for Carlota even as she explores her attraction to Eduardo, the spoiled aristocratic son of her father’s benefactor; and the hybrid creatures created by the eponymous doctor struggle to maintain their autonomy and personhood as the forces surrounding them attempt to subjugate their wills for their own ends. Moreno-Garcia’s worldbuilding chops are on display as she creates a distinct, vibrant backdrop to her audacious retelling. The prose, however, exhibits a cold remove that occasionally makes it difficult to remain invested in the action, and though the characters’ arcs reach satisfying conclusions, wonky pacing makes the work of reaching them a challenge. The third act rights the ship, however, with an ending that will linger long in readers’ minds. Fans of cerebral, atmospheric historical horror won’t want to miss this. Agent: Eddie Schneider, JABberwocky Literary.

Starred review from December 1, 2022

Perhaps not surprisingly, Moreno-Garcia's (Velvet Was the Night) latest novel is perfection. Retelling the story of Doctor Moreau through his daughter's eyes, this reworking of H.G. Wells's The Island of Doctor Moreau should satisfy readers who loved the original, as well as those who've never encountered it. Though she sets her tale in the Yucat�n, the source book can be felt running beneath. Moreno-Garcia explores colonialism, class conflict, racism, and sexism in addition to the themes of morality from Wells's work. Gisela Chipe performs the novel, narrating each character realistically, regardless of age, gender, or country of origin. It is particularly impressive how well matched the characters' voices are between their childhood and adult versions. Chipe's use of accents is integral to placing the listener within the setting, a place where cultures meld and clash, and where interpersonal conflicts cannot be separated from widespread atrocities in the region. Chipe uses her narration to reveal the messy bonds of family and the confusion of becoming an adult who sees beyond their pain and privilege. VERDICT A classic tale is viewed through a different historical lens, making it more relevant and utterly gripping. Highly recommended for fans of Moreno-Garcia or Isabel Ca�as.--Matthew Galloway

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