Title: Dr. Franklin’s Island
Author: Ann Halam
First published June 21, 2001
272 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780440237815 (ISBN10: 0440237815)
Rating: 3.93
Overview
A group of 50 British young conservationists embark on a journey to a wildlife conservation station deep in the Ecuadorian rainforests. However, things take a terrifying turn when their plane crashes, leaving only three survivors stranded on a deserted tropical island.
Semi, Miranda, and Arnie soon realize that they are not alone on the island. Dr. Franklin, a mad scientist, has been waiting for them and is eager to use them as specimens for his experiments in genetic engineering.
Can the three survivors outsmart Dr. Franklin and make it out alive? Find out in Ann Halam’s thrilling adventure, Dr. Franklin’s Island.
About the Author
The accomplished writer Gwyneth Jones also writes under the name Ann Halam, particularly in the genre of children’s books. Her work extends beyond children’s literature, however, and includes adult science fiction and fantasy novels, earning her numerous accolades.
Among her latest publications for Wendy Lamb Books are the captivating titles Dr. Franklin’s Island, Taylor Five, and Siberia. Ann Halam resides in the colorful seaside town of Brighton, England.
Editoral Review
Dr. Franklins Island by Ann Halam is a young adult novel that explores the themes of survival, friendship and surprising transformation. Ann Halam is a renowned English author famous for writing science fiction and horror novels for children and young adults which have won several awards including the British Fantasy Society Award and the Guardian Fiction Prize.
The story revolves around three teenagers, Semi, Miranda, and Arnie, who end up stranded on a remote island in the Pacific after a freak accident on a helicopter ride. The island plays host to strange, experimental creatures created by a scientist, Dr. Franklin, who the teenagers soon realise is behind their predicament.
With no hope of rescue, they must find a way to survive and avoid being captured by their captor who threatens to use them as part of his twisted experiments. Halams characters are intricate and well-developed, with each one facing their internal battles as they try to adapt to their new environment, and their transformative journeys unfold naturally throughout the narrative.
Semi struggles to temper her fierce independence with empathy; Miranda combats her shyness and insecurity to take charge, and Arnie deals with his own fears of being left behind. Dr. Franklins Island is a bleak coming-of-age tale that raises ethical questions, provoking thought on the perils of scientific progress and its human costs.
While the story’s intended audience is young adults, the ethical dilemmas explored are complex and thought-provoking, which will be appealing to adult readers as well. The book is well-written, with vivid descriptions and an engaging pace that keeps the reader captivated, curious and even frightened.
Ann Halam is a writer with a vivid imagination and a good sense of pacing, and the rising tension and suspense keep the reader glued to the pages. However, the book has some flaws.
The climax of the novel feels rushed hastily wrapped up, and the resolution leaves some unanswered questions. Also, while the themes of transformation and survival are presented effectively, the moral lesson of the story is somewhat muddled, which might be confusing to some readers.
Overall, Dr. Franklins Island is an engaging young adult novel that explores thought-provoking ethical questions in a setting that is both intriguing and perilous. It is a recommended read, particularly for young readers who are interested in science fiction, romance, friendship and survival.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
