The Island of Doctor Moreau is an 1896 science fiction novel. The text of the novel is the narration of Edward Prendick, a shipwrecked man rescued by a passing boat who is left on the island home of Doctor Moreau, a mad scientist who creates human-like hybrid beings from animals via vivisection. The novel deals with a number of philosophical themes, including pain and cruelty, moral responsibility, human identity, and human interference with nature. The Island of Doctor Moreau is a classic of early science fiction and remains one of Wells' best-known books. It has been adapted to film and other media on many occasions.