Classic tale emphasizing man's beastliness. A survivor of a sunken ship is picked up by a ship with odd cargo and even odder passengers. He's dumped on an island with said cargo and passengers, to discover that it is a macabre experimental station--the classic mad scientist in charge performing a primitive form of genetic engineering.. Interesting read, lots of food for thought about--are we really that much higher than the animals? evolution--are we that far along? or are we so unique in creation that the gap can't be bridged?