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kingfan30's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
allegedly_miri's review against another edition
4.0
This one feels like cheating because I find Will Self so effortlessly readable that of course I was going to enjoy it. The book is based on a bizarre conceit that every now and then gives way to a brilliant turn of phrase or something totally unexpected. It made me laugh out loud several times.
That being said, there is no reason for it to be this long, once the central theme is established. I did skim paragraphs here and there, and the main story did sometimes get lost in ripples of “I’m a smart man writing a smart book here’s how smart I am”. It was immensely enjoyable though, and the last page took me by surprise.
It was occasionally off-putting and a little insensitive to… essentially anyone who isn’t a white dude, but the depth of the world-building did actually have me having to readjust to human people around me once I’d finished.
That being said, there is no reason for it to be this long, once the central theme is established. I did skim paragraphs here and there, and the main story did sometimes get lost in ripples of “I’m a smart man writing a smart book here’s how smart I am”. It was immensely enjoyable though, and the last page took me by surprise.
It was occasionally off-putting and a little insensitive to… essentially anyone who isn’t a white dude, but the depth of the world-building did actually have me having to readjust to human people around me once I’d finished.
simond's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
storyonlystory's review against another edition
4.0
This is a fun satire. A little slow but not to the point of exasperation. I really enjoyed reading it although the ending was a little bit of a let-down.
This author certainly isn't afraid of repetition - repetition of the same words and phrases over and over. If I see the word ischial or brachiating one more time ...
This author certainly isn't afraid of repetition - repetition of the same words and phrases over and over. If I see the word ischial or brachiating one more time ...
sharonbakar's review against another edition
2.0
This book has one of the most exhilarating first chapters I've ever read - I actually went back to reread it twice before moving on to chapter 2. The basic premise of the book is fascinating: the central character is transformed intio a chimpanzee and so is everyone else around him. The first part of the book was a joy, but the joke wears progressively thinner as the book goes on. It would have made a great novella, but the pressure to make it a book length thing destroyed it.
yulelogue's review against another edition
1.0
This was a slog of a read. I kept at it because it was possible for it to be salvaged in the second half with a little imagination.
I think Self ultimately fails because he gave so little thought to the “ape world” particularly with language. Without really expressing it he assumes that evolution was just the luck of the draw, when in fact biological advantages helped humans. Theoretically in his “ape world” these advantages transferred to the apes should have given the ability to speak, especially if they are able to master science, art, religion. It is assumed that there was a monkey Jesus.
I think Self ultimately fails because he gave so little thought to the “ape world” particularly with language. Without really expressing it he assumes that evolution was just the luck of the draw, when in fact biological advantages helped humans. Theoretically in his “ape world” these advantages transferred to the apes should have given the ability to speak, especially if they are able to master science, art, religion. It is assumed that there was a monkey Jesus.
monty_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Will Self is catapulting his way to the top of my favorite authors list. There aren't many other writers doing things quite as original and subversive as he is, and even though Great Apes was written a decade ago, it's still head and shoulders above most other things I've read recently. A brief tracing of the plot (because the less you know about the book, the more fun it is to discover): Simon Dykes, a hedonistic artist, awakes after a night of partying to discover himself living in a world populated almost entirely by chimpanzees. Life looks much as it always has – the chimps work and play in much the same way as humans – but Simon, who still believes himself to be human, has to come to grips with this new reality.
It's a great deal of fun to watch Simon wrestle with his new situation, but the real joy in this book is the vivid way Self brings the world of "chimpunity" to life. The world of the chimps isn't a science-fictiony Planet of the Apes-ish creation; it's our world, for all intents and purposes, only with chimps instead of people. There are differences, of course: public mating displays are frequent and encouraged; chimpanzee hierarchies (alpha, beta, epsilon, etc.) are still in effect, and pity the chimp who violates that social structure; work is often interrupted for grooming sessions; humans are endangered and live in zoos. Simon must learn to negotiate his way through this new world, and as readers, it's thrilling to take that journey with him. Great Apes is remarkable because it lives at the intersection of science and pure imagination, and for that reason is unlike just about any book I've ever read.
It's a great deal of fun to watch Simon wrestle with his new situation, but the real joy in this book is the vivid way Self brings the world of "chimpunity" to life. The world of the chimps isn't a science-fictiony Planet of the Apes-ish creation; it's our world, for all intents and purposes, only with chimps instead of people. There are differences, of course: public mating displays are frequent and encouraged; chimpanzee hierarchies (alpha, beta, epsilon, etc.) are still in effect, and pity the chimp who violates that social structure; work is often interrupted for grooming sessions; humans are endangered and live in zoos. Simon must learn to negotiate his way through this new world, and as readers, it's thrilling to take that journey with him. Great Apes is remarkable because it lives at the intersection of science and pure imagination, and for that reason is unlike just about any book I've ever read.
louisabooks's review
challenging
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
thecatsmum's review against another edition
4.0
I don't think this book works well. That being said Self is a very talented writer and I couldn't help being engrossed despite some of the weaknesses of the premise.