The Island of Doctor Moreau (1896) is a classic of early science fiction and remains one of Wells' best-known books, and has been adapted to film and other media on many occasions. The novel is the narration of Edward Prendick, a shipwrecked man rescued by a passing boat, and left on the island home of Doctor Moreau, 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. Wells described the novel as 'an exercise in youthful blasphemy'.