Interviews with an Ape

Interviews with an Ape is special, important and compelling. By using animals as it’s ‘voice’ It pushes their plight at the hands of ‘humanity’ to the centre stage.

If you are looking for an easy read, this is not it, this is a ‘warts ‘n all’ sort of book. We, as a species, come under close scrutiny and are laid bare as both tormentors and tormented. So, no, it’s not an easy read, but it is an important one.
By far the most prominent POV, and the one that will stay with me is that of Einstein (a male silverback Gorilla) who was taught to communicate by signing. Other animals also feature linked to each other mostly by their detainment against their will in various settings, their only ‘crime’ that of not being human.

Virginia McKenna says ‘this book should be read by everyone’ and I totally agree, it will take you on an emotional rollercoaster, so strap in and approach with an open mind and heart. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am numbed after reading this debut novel by Felice Fallon!

I started reading and couldn't stop! Gentleness and brutality hand in hand. A wonderful read that leaves you asking questions, lots of questions. I cried at the end, tears running down my face, I tried not to but couldn't!

Einstein, the gorilla, tells his story along with other vulnerable animals and it makes you think, really think! I had a variety of emotions from, sad, cruel, funny, brutal and difficult to read at time.

I would recommend this novel. This story will stay with me forever.

I give a 5 star rating.

I WANT TO THANK NETGALLEY FOR THE OPPERUNITY OF READIN AN ADVANCED COPY OF THIS BOOK FOR AN HONEST REVIEW

This book was incredible, I haven’t read anything like it before. The author was captivating in her descriptions of events from the perspective of each animal, and the humans showing them cruelty or kindness. I learned a lot from the book too, I hadn’t been aware of bear bile farming and from subsequent research I was saddened to see that the story of the mother and cub included in the book is based on true events. There was a whole range of emotions that I had while reading- it varied between heartwarming, heartbreaking and anger-inducing at the cruelty of people. I will definitely be recommending this book to people.

Wow. There aren’t the words to describe how important and eye opening this book is. It was very difficult to read and my heart strings were twanging. I had to read this in very small doses and leave some recovery time between sections. This is a book that everyone should read. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.