Taking well-known concepts and stories and breathing new life into them is a concept that I absolutely rock with and Silvia Moreno-Garcia shows a great a talent for it in The Daughter of Doctor Moreau. At first glance, it appears to be an almost straight retelling of the classic by H.G. Wells, but it quickly becomes something distinct. It’s a character-driven story rooted in history, atmosphere, and has complicated characters at its center.
Carlota and Montgomery are extremely flawed characters, making them incredibly engaging and compelling. Moreno-Garcia writes them with an honesty that refuses to sand down their edges and makes them feel likeable and real.
Relocating the tale to nineteenth-century Mexico elevates the story and reframes the themes beyond just changing the scenery. It amplifies the questions of power, exploitation, and control. Instead of leaning into horror, this book relies on a simmering tension that mirrors the historical context of the setting at play.
That being said, there is a fair amount of body-horror, which is more disturbing and unsettling than it is terrifying. It’s not designed to frighten so much as it is to explore human nature and colonial ambition. This was less about monsters in the dark and more about the monsters within, and it worked beautifully.
The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is thoughtful reimagining that shows a retelling doesn’t need to chase the same tone as its predecessor. It can claim its own space. This book gets a resounding YES from me.
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