04 Jan / The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia [in Booklist]
*STARRED REVIEW
After voicing Velvet Was the Night (2021), Gisela Chípe returns to read Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s “loosely inspired” adaptation of H.G. Wells’ The Island of Doctor Moreau. In Yaxaktun, a remote late-19th-century ranch in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, French expat Dr. Moreau lives with his 14-year-old daughter, Carlota, his recently hired British majordomo Montgomery, and 29 “hybrids,” remarkable part-human, part-animal creatures Moreau has created, ostensibly to become workers for wealthy Hernando Lizalde, who funds Moreau’s unprecedented experiments.
Six years later, Hernando’s son Eduardo and nephew Isidro unexpectedly arrive at Yaxaktun purportedly following reports of Mayan Indian raids. When Eduardo becomes besotted with the now nubile Carlota, Yaxaktun’s fragile balance is forever disturbed, and grave tragedy proves inevitable.
Chípe is a versatile marvel, switching between French, Mexican, and British accents with convincing agility. Moreno-Garcia’s chapters alternate between the viewpoints of youthful, innocent Carlota and weary, cynical Montgomery, both enhanced by Chípe’s distinct clarity. She endows every character with discernible uniqueness, be it arrogant and wily Eduardo, contentious and manipulative Isidro, entitled Hernando, or maternally protective cook Ramona. Especially memorable are Carlota’s companions, the gruffly devoted Lupe and the guilelessly rambunctious Cachito.
Chills and thrills are guaranteed as Chípe’s effortless fluidity ensures hours of delight.
Review: “Media,” Booklist, November 1, 2022
Readers: Adult
Published: 2022