I've taken a brief reading break to power through all three season's of Orphan Black. (LOVE IT.) When The Island of Dr Moreau was introduced as a plot device in the series, I picked it up. It's a perfect fit for the narrative of the show, and an interesting look at HG Well's 1896 considerations of science and ethics.

Ugh, Dorian Gray is such a scrub.

Confession: I'm one of those people who hasn't read any Jane Austen novels aside from Pride & Prejudice. Until today! At least I can cross that (semi shameful) fact off my list!

 

I definitely still prefer P&P. What's your favorite Austen novel?

Intrigueing book. Told by a narrator who is involved in the periphery of the action. he's an English language teacher, and is the western eyes of the title. he sees it as his duty to pass on what happened and present the Russians at the core of the story in a manner understandable to the western mind. the chief protagonists are Razumov and Natalia Haldin, she the sister of a revolutionary who throws himself on Razumov after committing a bombing raid that kills a minister, but also innocent bystanders. This Razumov can't accept, so instead of helping Haldin escape, he betrays him to the authorities. He does this with no emotional involvement, he is apolitical and detached from society. The book traces his progression from detached individual to someone who care about truth and is prepared to act in the interest of truth, even if is personally disadvantages him. It doesn't quite end up in the way that you think it will.