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valerylh's review
3.0
OK, that was kind of weird. And at several points – awkwardly uncomfortable! There will be times along the way when you'll think “oh, this is the awkward thing” but no, keep going, you’ll know it when you get there!
I really didn’t enjoy the first 2/3 of this book. Dr Gardner and his horrifying science...and I couldn’t get my head around Laurel essentially throwing her family aside for Charlie, and I was confused by the side-story (although that did work itself out). Her children were both clearly struggling in this new situation and Mom was just not dealing with it…you’re on your own girls! And Dad just faded into the background. It all hit the fan when the family came for Thanksgiving dinner at the Toneybee Institute. LOL, this scene alone brought the book up to 3 stars…fantastic!
I really didn’t enjoy the first 2/3 of this book. Dr Gardner and his horrifying science...and I couldn’t get my head around Laurel essentially throwing her family aside for Charlie, and I was confused by the side-story (although that did work itself out). Her children were both clearly struggling in this new situation and Mom was just not dealing with it…you’re on your own girls! And Dad just faded into the background. It all hit the fan when the family came for Thanksgiving dinner at the Toneybee Institute. LOL, this scene alone brought the book up to 3 stars…fantastic!
jacqueaye's review
5.0
I couldn't put this book down! The premise sounds strange at first, but it has this underlying feeling of uneasiness that kept me reading, hoping to uncover whatever strange or tragic ending awaited me. The writing was amazing and the way the author describes settings and emotions painted an amazing mental picture. I truly felt like I was living in this book.
I also appreciated the way it calls back on the past to build on events happening in the present day. I was rooting for, or at the very least, intrigued by all of the main characters. Except for the mother. She was just plain weird, but her odd choices drove the plot so I guess I can't be too mad at her lol. Overall, 4.5 stars to this lovely book that highlights the horrors of medical/research-based racism.
I also appreciated the way it calls back on the past to build on events happening in the present day. I was rooting for, or at the very least, intrigued by all of the main characters. Except for the mother. She was just plain weird, but her odd choices drove the plot so I guess I can't be too mad at her lol. Overall, 4.5 stars to this lovely book that highlights the horrors of medical/research-based racism.
chelseamartinez's review
4.0
I checked this out from the school library based on a quick skim of a few reviews on here. One of them said that the title of this book didn't suit it at all. I totally agree, in a good way. It's odd to be old enough that people my age are old and successful enough to write about the era when I was a teenager in a way that really does feel like the past now and not nostalgia. But more importantly, there is a gothic creepiness to the book that doesn't splat over into horror; the rotten things that happen happen slowly and are never undone. The chapter that's an open letter from a very old white lady felt awkward beyond the intended awkwardness, but other than that I raced through it on 4 bus rides and felt like it handled issues of race and "how to grow up and decide which battles to fight" deftly.
clellman's review
Discussed this w/ Flora, so not going to put all my thoughts here. Overall, Greenidge is a really good writer; this book was interesting; this book was super unusual in terms of plot/setting.
carriepond's review
3.0
I would actually say 3.5 stars for this debut novel. This book has a lot of wonderful moments, and has an undercurrent of tension that pulls you in. Not the type of tension in a thriller, but just an uneasiness that you are watching people slowly unravel. The end was a bit uneven for me, but I am interested in reading more by this author.
brittaini's review
3.0
I think this is more of a 3.5 for me. I am not really sure what I think! Family moves to a scientific institute to be caretakers for an ape. Things get weird.
jheinemann287's review
4.0
Much of this book made me incredibly uncomfortable, but I also couldn't put it down. It's full of humor, tragedy, and (so much!) tension. The characters are weird and funny and relatable and flawed. I'm doing a terrible job of describing it, but I know this book will stick with me.
It's also obvious that Greenidge is a fantastic writer, and I really look forward to reading more from her.
It's also obvious that Greenidge is a fantastic writer, and I really look forward to reading more from her.
cslemread's review
4.0
“A terrifically auspicious debut.” —Janet Maslin, The New York Times - hard to beat that summary. At times uncomfortable but unflinching. Throughout, thoroughly human.
vanlyn87's review
5.0
A complicated story of family, history, race and science - the characters are compelling and it is hard to put down.
literatihottie's review
4.0
If the title makes this novel sound easy to swallow, be warned there’s nothing easy about Charlie Freeman. Greenridge tackles difficult questions of race, family, humanity, language and the ethics of experimentation in this completely unique story of a family living with a chimpanzee as part of a research experiment at the Toynbee Institute. Greenridge has clearly put a lot of historical work into constructing this story and I found it utterly enthralling. Also has the distinction of making me audibly gasp while reading not once but twice!