My first experience of this story was through "The Madman's Daughter", a retelling of the story. I think I would've appreciated that story more had I read this first since I found myself being reminded of it often through the names and plot points in the original; retrospectively, however, it was nice to see where it followed the original and it was nice seeing allusions in reverse.

While, like usual with novels at the time, it lacked in character depth I was still able to immerse myself in the story and enjoy the descriptions of the island and the creations through Pendrick's eyes. I was particularly fond of the philosophical discussion of pain and the like between Moreau and Pendrick - that really drove the Gothic horror point home.

It's a shame I didn't read this before I read the modern retelling but perhaps like this I was able to enjoy it more. As short as it was the story did progress at a good pace and the end, where Pendrick took control of the island before making it out, was a great turn of events. Overall the story may have lacked excitement but it made up for it through description and theme.