kadyofbooks 's review for:

Ape House by Sara Gruen

3.5

challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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I was quite surprised to find that I actually liked this book. This was the first book I've read by Sara Gruen, having only watched the movie version of "Water for Elephants". I had a hard time getting into the book and only later started to care about the characters.
I've read another book about an ape that could communicate in sign language [book:Hurt Go Happy: A novel inspired by the true story of a chimpanzee who learned sign language|23848149], which I adored and which made me cry as well. That one was also based on a true story and it made me feel more than Ape House managed to make me feel.
I wish we would've gotten to see more of the connection between Isabel and the bonobos before the lab is blown up. Then I guess my connection to the characters would have been better. But we didn't get to see them interact often... Also, John's dislike for having children (or his panic, that would describe it better) means that he's not on the market for having kids.

And the way he pivots on that later in the book is just weird. It didn't feel as though he really changed his mind but rather wants to please his wife, who desperately wants to have kids.