- I was curious about the story and for some reason, stories about ape’s always attract me. I blame Tarzan.
I also recommend:
- State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
Summary from GoodReads:
Sam, Bonzi, Lola, Mbongo, Jelani, and Makena are no ordinary apes. These bonobos, like others of their species, are capable of reason and carrying on deep relationships—but unlike most bonobos, they also know American Sign Language.
Isabel Duncan, a scientist at the Great Ape Language Lab, doesn’t understand people, but animals she gets—especially the bonobos. Isabel feels more comfortable in their world than she’s ever felt among humans . . . until she meets John Thigpen, a very married reporter who braves the ever-present animal rights protesters outside the lab to see what’s really going on inside.
(Read more summary here)
My Review:
I am one of the minority that did not enjoy Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. I can’t really say why I didn’t enjoy it, as I read it a few years ago (and maybe my opinion will have changed if I try it again), but I do remember feeling just.. dissatisfaction with it.
So, with that background, I put off reading Ape House until I was wandering through the library and just decided to pick it up. I didn’t have high hopes, but I was pleasantly surprised.
I think I enjoyed this book more because of the apes, though. In thinking back on it, the characters weren’t as developed as I would have liked and the story had quite a few plot holes – but the ape parts were fascinating to me. More importantly, the story served as a springboard for me to go and check out the Great Ape Trust’s Web site.
All of that information aside, what it boiled down to was that I enjoyed this book. I read it on gloomy, rainy afternoon and I only got up from my couch to get a drink or attend to nature. That, to me, is a sign that Sara was doing something right.
Check out these reviews!
I love books with apes in them. Bonobos are one of my favorites so despite everything else, I may read this one. Thanks for the review.
Interesting. I read this one as an ARC, having not read Water for Elephants but knowing that everyone loved it.
I don’t know if it was my expectations, but I really didn’t like Ape House. I thought the writing was pretty bad and that’s what turned me off. It felt as though Gruen was describing what she saw in a movie, rather than creating a story with her own words – if that makes sense.
I think that’s actually why I liked it more than Water for Elephants. I’m okay with reading things from the point of view of an observer, if the subject matter interests me..and it definitely did here.
I really enjoyed Ape House. While the human characters lacked oompf for me, the apes were the stars of the show. It did prompt me to learn more about bonobos.
Exactly – I felt the same way!