The Fable of Bing

by Tim Sandlin

Turk says, “Raised by apes, able to heal the sick and raise the dead. That’s some résumé you’ve put out for yourself.”
Bing murmurs. “I don’t think I can raise the dead. It looks difficult.”

Raised by bonobos and a controlling zookeeper in the San Diego Wildlife Safari Park, Bing has no clue as to the outside world, until the girl of his dreams entices him into breaking free from the cages. Bing enters the outside world as a stranger in an even stranger land and he may not be ready for the outside world, but the outside world is definitely not ready for him.

Genres: Humor

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 10, 2013

About the author

Tim Sandlin has published ten novels and a book of columns. He wrote eleven screenplays for hire; three have been made into movies. He turned forty with no phone, TV, or flush toilet and now he has all that stuff. Tim and his wife adopted a little girl from China. He is now living happily (indoors) with his family in Jackson, Wyoming.

Reviews

[Catherine McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this newest book from Tim Sandlin. It's a bit of a departure for him in some ways, but if you're a fan of Tim Sandlin's, you'll definitely enjoy this book.

As a baby, Bing accidently gets shipped to the San Diego Zoo with a crate of Bonobos. Fast forward 20 years and he's living in the zoo being taken care of by Dr. Lori along with his adopted Bonobo family. He's never been outside the zoo, and while he can speak English and is clearly intelligent, he can't read and has lead a very sheltered life.

Then he meets Rosemary, a lost young women who is seeking solace in a cult-like religious movement in order to cope with her sister's terminal illness and he decides to hop the fence and explore the big wide world. What results is funny, touching, thoughtful and an interesting look into what our world must look like to complete outsiders.

I would also recommend this to fans of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler; this is like the inside-out version of that book in a lot of ways, yet completely unique. Highly recommend.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very good novel by Tim Sandlin, about love and humanity and bonobos... ;-)

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Tim Sandlin. Idiosyncratic characters who fall in love, also with whom readers cannot helping falling in love as well. Reminiscent of "Sex and Sunsets" in its own way, Bing is an unlikely hero on a wild ride through a life that shows us to not take for granted the extraordinary and miraculous relationships we have for only a limited time. Worthy of a re-read, the "fable" nature of the story invites more reflection than what one normally finds in comedies. Unforgettable scenes at the San Diego Zoo, a CPK, and Rosemary's tiny house. It's not the deepest story, but that's part of why its great.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bing was raised in the San Diego Zoo with his mother and brother - both of whom are Bonobos and not humans. Bing isn't completely without human interaction -his second mother, Dr. Lori makes sure to scare Bing out of ever wanting to leave the zoo. When Bing spots Rosemary he decides to leave and see the great big world - only things aren't always as they seem.

Bing is absolutely charming - you can imagine how things that we take for granted as making perfect sense, don't always seem logical. I didn't truly like Rosemary's character, nor did I think the situation Bing got himself into was really all that realistic.

Overall - the writing was clever, the main character was lovely, and it's a quick read. If you're into quirky tales - this one is for you.

Oh - and whatever you do - don't call Bing a Chimp. :0)

[Hal Brodsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing comment on San Diego Culture, but really not Sandlin's best work. There are too many loose ends (From where DOES Bing get his powers? Why would he or anyone like the female protagonist? What is wrong with the US Border Patrol?).
If this is a Second Coming of Christ Parable as the title suggests, it is way too simple and it has been done much better by others ( Think Heinlein's "Stranger in a Strange Land", Lawrence's "The Escaped Cock", Doeschaevsky's "The Grand Inquisitor", even Steven King's "Green Mile").
This novel is readable mostly for Sandlin's witty dialogue, but the story itself is unsatisfying.

[Terri Floccare · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Bing's sweet naïveté, and his open and direct way of looking at the world. I was very afraid for him at the end, especially if the authored carried through with the messianic theme. I didn't like the character of Dr. Lori, but she essentially disappeared in the middle of the book, and I realized that the story (and I) missed her! I'm glad I read this and am interested in learning more about Bonobos.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of this one is preposterous. However, that's a great place to start with a hilarious satire about modern society and new-age spirituality. Like a much funnier and much less racist or misogynistic Stranger in a Strange Land. It still contains a touching human story at its heart.

[Erin C McKan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably my least favorite Tim Sandlin book but still pretty decent.

[Yvonne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Week 2 Book for "52 Books in 52 Weeks Book Group" did not really care for this one. Weird!