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rechard 's review for:
The One and Only Ivan
by Katherine Applegate
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate is a poignant and beautifully written story that struck a deep chord with me. Told from the perspective of Ivan, a silverback gorilla living in captivity, the book masterfully explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the search for freedom. Ivan’s quiet strength and his connection with the other animals, especially Ruby, the young elephant, made me reflect on the resilience and dignity of creatures so often underestimated or misunderstood.
As I read, I found myself fully immersed in Ivan’s world, his thoughts and memories, and the weight of his circumstances. The storytelling was so evocative that I couldn’t help but research the origins of this tale, a habit I often fall into when a book leaves a lasting impression on me. What I discovered left me stunned.
Unbeknownst to me, Ivan’s story was based on a real gorilla—the Ivan, the gorilla I used to watch for hours at the Atlanta Zoo. Back when I was a “Yankee” adjusting to life in the South during my first job in Atlanta, I would often visit the zoo to clear my head and unwind from the stress of being a fish out of water. Ivan, in all his quiet majesty, became a source of comfort and fascination for me during that time. I had no idea then that his story would one day find me again, years later, in such a profound way.
Learning that the Ivan in the book was the same Ivan I had admired in person made the story resonate even more deeply. It’s a testament to the power of literature to reconnect us with forgotten moments and bring new meaning to the experiences we’ve cherished. The One and Only Ivan is a remarkable book that I’ll carry with me for a long time, and I highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates stories that illuminate the bond between humans and animals.
As I read, I found myself fully immersed in Ivan’s world, his thoughts and memories, and the weight of his circumstances. The storytelling was so evocative that I couldn’t help but research the origins of this tale, a habit I often fall into when a book leaves a lasting impression on me. What I discovered left me stunned.
Unbeknownst to me, Ivan’s story was based on a real gorilla—the Ivan, the gorilla I used to watch for hours at the Atlanta Zoo. Back when I was a “Yankee” adjusting to life in the South during my first job in Atlanta, I would often visit the zoo to clear my head and unwind from the stress of being a fish out of water. Ivan, in all his quiet majesty, became a source of comfort and fascination for me during that time. I had no idea then that his story would one day find me again, years later, in such a profound way.
Learning that the Ivan in the book was the same Ivan I had admired in person made the story resonate even more deeply. It’s a testament to the power of literature to reconnect us with forgotten moments and bring new meaning to the experiences we’ve cherished. The One and Only Ivan is a remarkable book that I’ll carry with me for a long time, and I highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates stories that illuminate the bond between humans and animals.