The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau

Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Random House Worlds · Paperback · April 11, 2023

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the bestselling author of Mexican Gothic and Velvet Was the Night comes a lavish historical drama reimagining of The Island of Doctor Moreau set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century Mexico. “This is historical science fiction at its best: a dreamy reimagining of a classic story with vivid descriptions of lush jungles and feminist themes.

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Who it’s for
A nineteenth-century Mexican setting gives this science-fiction reimagining a distinctly gothic charge.
Themes
Humanity and ethics, Feminist themes, Science and its consequences
Pacing
Mixed

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About this book

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the bestselling author of Mexican Gothic and Velvet Was the Night comes a lavish historical drama reimagining of The Island of Doctor Moreau set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century Mexico. “This is historical science fiction at its best: a dreamy reimagining of a classic story with vivid descriptions of lush jungles and feminist themes.

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Some light romance threads through the heavier ethical questions concerning humanity.”—Library Journal (starred review) “The imagination of Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a thing of wonder, restless and romantic, fearless in the face of genre, embracing the polarities of storytelling—the sleek and the bizarre, wild passions and deep hatreds—with cool equanimity.”—The New York Times (Editors’ Choice) FINALIST FOR THE HUGO AWARD • ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, Time, NPR, Polygon, Tordotcom, Paste, CrimeReads, Booklist Carlota Moreau: A young woman growing up on a distant and luxuriant estate, safe from the conflict and strife of the Yucatán peninsula. The only daughter of a researcher who is either a genius or a madman. Montgomery Laughton: A melancholic overseer with a tragic past and a propensity for alcohol. An outcast who assists Dr. Moreau with his experiments, which are financed by the Lizaldes, owners of magnificent haciendas and plentiful coffers. The hybrids: The fruits of the doctor’s labor, destined to blindly obey their creator and remain in the shadows. A motley group of part human, part animal monstrosities. All of them live in a perfectly balanced and static world, which is jolted by the abrupt arrival of Eduardo Lizalde, the charming and careless son of Dr. Moreau’s patron, who will unwittingly begin a dangerous chain reaction. For Moreau keeps secrets, Carlota has questions, and, in the sweltering heat of the jungle, passions may ignite. The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is both a dazzling historical novel and a daring science fiction journey.

Gothic Crosscurrents

A nineteenth-century Mexican setting gives this science-fiction reimagining a distinctly gothic charge.

Come here for

  • Classic science fiction refracted through a historical lens
  • A lush estate, unsettling experiments, and secrets

Expect

  • A layered mix of science fiction and historical drama
  • Questions of humanity alongside simmering passions

Where it sits

Gothic Romance60%
Genetic Engineering Sci-Fi50%
Historical Fiction31%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Historical Fiction
  • Genetic Engineering Sci-Fi
  • Hispanic & Latino Fiction
Authors
Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Publisher
Random House Worlds
Published
April 11, 2023
Format
Paperback
Theme
Humanity and ethics · Feminist themes · Science and its consequences
Reading lane
Historical Fiction