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sandytesch's review against another edition
2.0
There are a number of things wrong with this book and it only gets worse as you read on and it devolves into a soap opera. Thank God for the great passages about the bonobos or it would be a complete waste of time. (1) Peter Benton is such a one-sided character. (2) What does the author have against vegans/animal rights activists? Such an unrealistic portrayal. (3) The jealously between John and Amanda is ridiculous.
franese's review against another edition
4.0
If you like Water for Elephants, you'll love this. Shows the complete humanity of apes, and the humanity and inhumanity in people.
karieh13's review against another edition
3.0
I read âApe Houseâ in about a day â I was immediately engaged in the story and connected with some of the characters. Iâd read and liked âWater for Elephantsâ a while ago and the easy writing style and flow of the story were similar to this book.
I donât remember a great deal of humor in âElephantsâ â but there is certainly an undercurrent of that in âApe Houseâ.
âCat was leaning against the brick wall near the cozy fireplace in the lobby of the Residence Inn when John and Amanda arrived. It was the hotelâs âsocial hour,â and Cat was taking advantage of the free wine while emanating waves of unapproachability. It was as though she had an invisible cloaking device: Other guests would wander too close and suddenly veer off, looking stunned.â
Though at times it gets a bit too close to the farce line for my taste â every time I found myself rolling my eyes a bi, I realized that in todayâs world everything that happens in the book is more than plausible and in many cases, is happening right now. It was not a big surprise that in many cases â the apes come off seeming more highly evolved than the humans surrounding them.
âJohn followed. As he pulled the door open, he looked back at the men, who were still staring. He pointed first at her and then at his wedding band, and mouthed the word âMine.â
Those aspects of the book aside, I felt that Gruen did a good job trying to convey the nearly miraculous feeling of humans and ape communication. I have the knowledge in the sort of âGeneral Knowledgeâ section of my brain that humans can communicate with apes using sign language. And yet until I read this book, I didnât really process that knowledge. Gruenâs descriptions of Isabelâs interaction with these amazing animals (and in the Authorâs Note â description of her own experience) â actual conversations between humans and apes â really hit me. When I truly sat and considered that fact, I was in awe.
This was an enjoyable read â and one that piqued my interest enough to want to move my knowledge of the subject from âGeneralâ to âDetailedâ.
I donât remember a great deal of humor in âElephantsâ â but there is certainly an undercurrent of that in âApe Houseâ.
âCat was leaning against the brick wall near the cozy fireplace in the lobby of the Residence Inn when John and Amanda arrived. It was the hotelâs âsocial hour,â and Cat was taking advantage of the free wine while emanating waves of unapproachability. It was as though she had an invisible cloaking device: Other guests would wander too close and suddenly veer off, looking stunned.â
Though at times it gets a bit too close to the farce line for my taste â every time I found myself rolling my eyes a bi, I realized that in todayâs world everything that happens in the book is more than plausible and in many cases, is happening right now. It was not a big surprise that in many cases â the apes come off seeming more highly evolved than the humans surrounding them.
âJohn followed. As he pulled the door open, he looked back at the men, who were still staring. He pointed first at her and then at his wedding band, and mouthed the word âMine.â
Those aspects of the book aside, I felt that Gruen did a good job trying to convey the nearly miraculous feeling of humans and ape communication. I have the knowledge in the sort of âGeneral Knowledgeâ section of my brain that humans can communicate with apes using sign language. And yet until I read this book, I didnât really process that knowledge. Gruenâs descriptions of Isabelâs interaction with these amazing animals (and in the Authorâs Note â description of her own experience) â actual conversations between humans and apes â really hit me. When I truly sat and considered that fact, I was in awe.
This was an enjoyable read â and one that piqued my interest enough to want to move my knowledge of the subject from âGeneralâ to âDetailedâ.
athoffman18's review against another edition
2.0
This was an enjoyable book, but I still think Water for Elephants is the better of the two.
jof's review against another edition
2.0
http://dosnossoslivros.blogspot.fr/2015/10/a-casa-dos-primatas-de-sara-gruen.html
elvac's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
mandyflavel's review against another edition
3.0
This book was OK. No where near the caliber of Water for Elephants. I kept waiting for something to happen, but nothing ever did. The apes really are endearing, though, and that kept me reading it.
upgirlcd's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book a lot! As Isabelle did, I too fell in love with the Bonobos--with their caring, intelligent personalities. I enjoyed Sara Gruen's epilogue just as much, as she talked of her research & time spent with Bonobos before she wrote this book. I found the relationships surrounding those who knew, cared for, and/or worked with the apes a little surreal; even hurried. Peter --what a cad! I have no use for him whatsoever. I think too, we as a viewing audience would really watch a program such as "Ape House"--at least they'd be more intelligent than some at the Jersey Shore. :)
Bonobos are the stars for sure! I need to get to know some of these sweet apes one day!
Bonobos are the stars for sure! I need to get to know some of these sweet apes one day!