50 Books Challenge - # 25: Ape House by Sara Gruen

Title: Ape House
Author: Sara Gruen
Story: 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. When an explosion rocks the lab, severely injuring Isabel and "liberating" the apes, John's human interest piece turns into the story of a lifetime, one he'll risk his career and his marriage to follow. Then a reality TV show featuring the missing apes debuts under mysterious circumstances, and it immediately becomes the biggest—and unlikeliest—phenomenon in the history of modern media. Millions of fans are glued to their screens watching the apes order greasy take-out, have generous amounts of sex, and sign for Isabel to come get them. Now, to save her family of apes from this parody of human life, Isabel must connect with her own kind, including John, a green-haired vegan, and a retired porn star with her own agenda.
Start: may 1st 2011
End: may 4th 2011
Comment: After reading "Water for Elephants" I fell in love with Sara Gruen's writing. So I decided to read "Ape House". I found the plot very interesting and I was drawn to it. It's clear that Gruen is an animal lover, such as I, and that's what makes her writing so good. She writes as from heaven. Isabel Duncan is a wonderfull character. Her love for the apes was so genuine and honest. She was my favorite. I liked John too, but I didn't care much for his relationship with Amanda. I didn't like the fact that the humans get more pages then the animals. I thought it was supposed to be about them. The parts about Isabel and her apes were far more interesting, heartwarming and breathtaking. It actually makes me sick to my stomach that people would go this far for TV ratings. I liked the book, but her first was definitely better. But again Gruen proves she has a way with words and I wil continue reading her books.
Rating: 3,5/ 5