New Bodies for Old


Read by Ben Tucker

(4.2 stars; 50 reviews)

Maurice Renard's little known but delightfully bizarre tale of mad science run amok owes much to H. G. Wells' The Island of Dr. Moreau while also forging its own path by taking Wells' plot as a starting point and pushing it to ridiculous extremes. When a young man named Nicholas goes to visit his beloved scientist uncle Dr. Lerne in a remote French chateau, he is immediately put on his guard by his uncle's strange behavior, the mysterious Germans who now work with his uncle in a secret laboratory on the premises, on the strange noises he hears in the night... But Nicholas' desire to discover what his uncle's secret experiments are truly all about coupled with his strong desire for the young woman Emma who is staying with his uncle may soon find Nicholas in a greater peril that he ever possibly could have dreamed. - Summary by Ben Tucker (6 hr 20 min)

Chapters

Dedication & Introduction 9:46 Read by Ben Tucker
I. Nocturne 28:26 Read by Ben Tucker
II. Among the Sphinxes 34:43 Read by Ben Tucker
III. The Conservatory 26:23 Read by Ben Tucker
IV. Hot and Cold 22:17 Read by Ben Tucker
V. "The Madman" 19:57 Read by Ben Tucker
VI. Nell - The Saint Bernard 22:47 Read by Ben Tucker
VII. Thus Spake Mlle. Bourdichet 21:05 Read by Ben Tucker
VIII. Rashness 21:43 Read by Ben Tucker
IX. The Ambush 24:59 Read by Ben Tucker
X. The Circeean Operation 34:03 Read by Ben Tucker
XI. In the Paddock 22:24 Read by Ben Tucker
XII. Lerne Changes His Method of Attack 22:19 Read by Ben Tucker
XIII. Experiments! Hallucinations! 10:47 Read by Ben Tucker
XIV. Death and the Mask 21:46 Read by Ben Tucker
XV. The New Beast 26:05 Read by Ben Tucker
XVI. The Wizard Finally Dies 11:07 Read by Ben Tucker

Reviews

Artful but predictable


(4 stars)

If you’ve ever even heard of the Island of Doctor Monroe, then you know where this plot is headed. The scenes are also laid out in such a way that I find myself too easily guessing what’s coming. However, I can’t say if it’s solely the writing or bc HG Well’s novel sets such an overarching precedent. I also need to mention that some scenes are very difficult to listen to, animals suffering is hard to bear even in the fictional word. Nonetheless, it’s literarily well written and masterfully read.

Not for the faint of heart


(5 stars)

Great sci-fi horror. And a very good narrator. I thoroughly enjoyed it.


(1 star)

The narrator is magnificent. The novel, however, is too simplistic and built upon a grotesque premise.

A fun homage to Dr Moreau.


(5 stars)

A masterpiece of narration, beautifully read.

Timeless sci-fi


(5 stars)

Really fantastic book, well read! Great story with lots of tension and twists. Vividly described, well written (it is a translation from French) and read with emotion. I spent much listening-time wanting to shake the main character for not realising what was happening. As well as it prompting much discussion with my partner (we listen together) trying to figure out what was next or after the end of the book. It stands the test of time - it could easily be made into a movie set today with very little updating. Definitely one to read again.

too disturbing


(2 stars)

too disturbing for me. i had to stop about chapter 5.

Bit of a strange story, but narrator is fantastic!


(5 stars)


(3 stars)

great narrator.... an easy listening with a few surprises