Friday, September 30, 2022

Science Fiction: The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

The whole reason I decided to pick up last week's DSN, The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells, is because Silvia Moreno-Garcia had come out with this week's The Daughter of Doctor Moreau, which is a reimagining of sorts of the classic tale. Instead of taking place on an island somewhere in the Pacific, Moreno-Garcia places all of the action in 19th century Mexico, with all of the conflict that was present during that time.

The Situation: In an attempt to pay off his debts, as well as make something from the mess that has become his life, Montgomery Laughton has decided to take a job in the Yucatan peninsula with the mysterious Dr. Moreau. He knows exactly what kind of job he has signed up for, though the doctor still has his secrets. There is also the beautiful, young, and naive Carlota Moreau, the doctor's daughter, who does her best to be exactly what her father wants and obey everything he says. She is also aware that her father has secrets, but due to her delicate health she has always been dependent on his medical knowledge. Plus, she loves her life and her home, as well as the many hybrid creatures her father has created.

The Problem: When Lizalde, the man in charge of Dr. Moreau's funding, decides that the work he has trusted the doctor to complete is not moving fast enough, it is clear that something must be done to secure the compound's future. And since Lizalde's son Eduardo has clearly taken an interest in Carlota, the solution seems simple. Carlota will marry Eduardo, the future of the compound will be secured, and Dr. Moreau can continue with the work he does for Lizalde, as well as the work he does for himself. It soon becomes impossible to hide the myriad of secrets the doctor has been holding onto, and it is one thing when Lizalde and his son find out the truth. But how will the doctor explain what his daughter and Montgomery soon discover about Carlota's past?

Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novel set in a remote location in late 19th century Mexico. Instead of having all the action take place on a mysterious island with almost no contact with the outside world, Moreno-Garcia placed Dr. Moreau, his daughter, his employees, and his creations in the jungle of Mexico, right in the middle of the real conflict that took place between the Mayans and the Mexican, European, and mixed population. Readers of the classic tale by H.G. Wells will of course recognize Dr. Moreau, Montgomery, and also the creatures. Wells' protagonist Edward Prendick does not make an appearance, but instead we have Carlota, Dr. Moreau's beautiful daughter who would love nothing more than for things to remain as they are, though it is clear that is not a possibility. Told in alternating chapters by both Montgomery and Carlota, readers get a different story that deals with more than questionable research practices. 

My Verdict: I rarely read reimaginings or retellings of stories, even for ones I enjoyed. It might be because I mainly look for stories that are new and original ideas. But in any case, I took on this one mostly because I did not know much about the original story, and I also wanted to read more of Moreno-Garcia's work. The novel starts out promising enough with the hiring of Montgomery and the introduction of Carlota as a new character. However, Carlota's lack of awareness and backbone quickly becomes tiresome, and Montgomery is rendered nearly useless due to his alcoholism. The characters the reader is supposed to side with are annoying, the bad guys are infuriating, and the action soon gets complicated, messy, and a little hard to follow. I will say that the introduction of Dr. Moreau's daughter does add to the story, as does the Mexican setting.

Favorite Moment: There are brief moments early on in the book when Carlota catches undeniable glimpses of who her father really is.

Favorite Character: I did not think I would be choosing Montgomery by the end of the novel (especially considering the role he played in the original story), but he has surprising moments when he manages to pull himself together and be of use.

Recommended Reading: For more from Moreno-Garcia, I recommend Mexican Gothic. For more science fiction in general, I recommend this year's Walk the Vanished Earth by Erin Swan.

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