Dr. Franklin's Island (Readers Circle)

by Ann Halam | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0440237815 Global Overview for this book
Registered by wingGoryDetailswing of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 2/22/2017
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1 journaler for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by wingGoryDetailswing from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Wednesday, February 22, 2017
I found this fair-condition paperback b6 Ann Halam (aka Gwyneth Jones) at a local Savers thrift shop, and thought it sounded intriguing.

Later: This was really good! Inspired by The Island of Dr. Moreau, this book takes the "mad scientist tries to turn animals into humans" concept and switches it, trying to turn humans into animals. (The purpose as stated by Dr. Franklin is to come up with humans capable of surviving in extreme environments, possibly on other planets - a worthy goal, if only he wasn't trying to achieve it by kidnapping...)

Anyway, we see all this from the viewpoint of narrator Semi, chubby and shy, yet excited to be on a plane with other winners of a "Planet Savers" prize trip to Ecuador. And then the plane crashes, and Semi finds herself stranded on an island with Miranda and Arnie. At first they try to signal for help, find food and shelter, and cope with the trauma of their experience - but as the days and then weeks pass, they find that there's more to the island than they had imagined...

Once they're in the hands of Dr. Franklin, the story gets quite frightening, though also fascinating: the types of transformations and their effects on the teens are presented in intriguing detail. While Semi's all too aware of "Stockholm syndrome" she sometimes finds that she craves the doctor's praise and attention more than she hates him for what he's doing. (There are other examples of the psychological effects of their experiences - all in all, a lot of depth here.)

I can't go into too much detail without spoiling some of the best parts, but I'll say that I liked the main characters and their (often difficult) relationship, appreciated the plot-twists and setting, and was riveted to the story throughout. Dramatic, thought-provoking, often frightening, sometimes heartwarming - really good story!

There's bonus material including discussion-group questions and an interview with the author, worth reading.

[There's a short TV Tropes page on the book, with some entertaining tidbits - but beware of spoilers if you haven't read the book first.]

Journal Entry 2 by wingGoryDetailswing at HI Boston Youth Hostel, Stuart St. in Boston, Massachusetts USA on Thursday, March 9, 2017

Released 7 yrs ago (3/9/2017 UTC) at HI Boston Youth Hostel, Stuart St. in Boston, Massachusetts USA

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

I left this book on the book-swap shelf inside the youth hostel at around 4; hope the finder enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in MA here.]

*** Released for the 2017 4 Elements release challenge. ***

*** Released for the 2017 Oh, the Places We Can Go release challenge. ***

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