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rowanhill's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This beautiful graphic novel about hardship and found family is definitely not for the faint of heart. The origin story of Sally Jones is filled with heartbreak and cruelty as she is sent from place to place and used by so many people. There are some moments where we see Sally Jones use the skills she is learning to try forging her own path, but she struggles through the majority of the story and it can feel pretty heavy overall. Though written like a picture would be, I would recommend this book for Middle Grade students or older due to its more mature themes.
From the time she was born, lowland gorilla Sally Jones knew she was destined for a life of hardship. Separated from her mother at a young age by poachers, Sally Jones was sent far from her home in the forests of Congo to Istanbul. That is where Sally Jones’s story truly begins. Sent from place to place as the humans around her saw fit, Sally Jones experiences life as a master thief, a zoo attraction, a magician’s assistant, a ship engineer and so much more. For every triumph, there is even greater hardship and Sally Jones longs for the day she will finally find somewhere she truly belongs.
This story is a prequel to The Murderer’s Ape but is a wonderful experience for both new and returning readers. However, unlike its predecessor, this book is a graphic novel and tells the story of Sally Jones’s early life from the third person perspective. Throughout her journey, Sally Jones experiences all types of animal cruelty and my heart breaks for her at every turn. Wegelius definitely does not pull any punches and I appreciate the direct honesty with which this story is told. Along with Sally Jones’s journey was also some fascinating information about various trade routes. There are some beautifully rendered maps that show the paths Sally Jones takes and provide some great learning opportunities.
Admittedly, this book left me a little conflicted. Even though I loved the illustrations, the storytelling style felt too young for the actual tale being told. I also think that the story could have been a little tighter as a whole in order to better draw out the intended themes. At times, it just feels like it bounces from one misery to another and loses some of its impact as a result. However, as previously stated, this is a brave book with some very challenging and moving moments and is well worth the read.
Special thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty
Moderate: Grief and Physical abuse
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, and Death
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