It’s hard not to judge a book by the author’s others, and that’s
what happened with Ape House. Had I
read it before Water for Elephants, I
might have felt differently. Each book had some of the same themes, and Water for Elephants was the better
showcase of Sara Gruen’s storytelling talents.
Isabel Duncan is dedicated to her bonobo family both on a
scientific level and a personal one. Unfortunately, she’s up against misguided
people worried about the ethical treatment of the animals and some money-hungry
individuals.
Everything comes crashing down when the lab is attacked and Isabel
ends up in the hospital with horrible injuries. While she’s recuperating, the
bonobos are sold to the highest bidder and end up on a reality show, Ape House.
John is a reporter assigned to the case, but becomes much more involved when he
connects with Isabel and the bonobos.
If the story had remained centered on the bonobos and Isabel, this
would be a 4- to 5-star read. Unfortunately, it veered off course with too much
focus on John’s wife, Amanda, and his possible child from a fling years
earlier.
From the front cover, “A tale that’s full of heart, hope, and
compelling questions about who we really are.” (Redbook) I don’t disagree; it
was all of these things. But I found myself disconnecting when it wasn’t about
Isabel. I wanted more detail about her family issues and devotion to these
wonderful creatures.
If you love animals and enjoy a quick, interesting read, pick this
up and plan to skim some parts. The meat of the story is wonderful and worth
your time.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Note: On GoodReads and
Amazon, I will rate it 3 stars, because it is closer to 3 than 4.
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