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The Monkey State
There is no world beyond the mist.
No world beyond the canopy.
Tell that to Claude Talador.
For moons, Claude—a restless pichu monkey—has been stuck in his office cubicle enduring the monotony of life in Tierra Libre, a bleak rainforest world where the rain never stops, boredom reigns supreme, and the dictatorship's servants bleat "No Monkey Business".
But Claude has never been good at following (all) the rules.
When he follows the eye of the Toucan, he stumbles across the Refuge, a literal underground resistance group with a daring escape in search of the fabled माया.
The stakes are high, and the risks are deadly. Claude must decide if he's willing to risk everything for a shot at freedom—or abandon his dreams in order to stay alive.
In a world where escape is impossible, one monkey's courage could change everything.
The Monkey State is the first book in debut author J. R. Roberts's Monkey State Trilogy. Set in the Eldervaria rainforest—a new fantasy world—it's a series about escape, rebellion, and hope. Claude’s journey spans all three books and is best read in order.
Perfect for fans of 1984, Into The Wild and The Planet of the Apes, and all stories that inspire us to challenge our circumstances despite the risks it may entail. The Monkey State is a tale for anyone who feels trapped by their circumstances yet dares to dream of something more.
No world beyond the canopy.
Tell that to Claude Talador.
For moons, Claude—a restless pichu monkey—has been stuck in his office cubicle enduring the monotony of life in Tierra Libre, a bleak rainforest world where the rain never stops, boredom reigns supreme, and the dictatorship's servants bleat "No Monkey Business".
But Claude has never been good at following (all) the rules.
When he follows the eye of the Toucan, he stumbles across the Refuge, a literal underground resistance group with a daring escape in search of the fabled माया.
The stakes are high, and the risks are deadly. Claude must decide if he's willing to risk everything for a shot at freedom—or abandon his dreams in order to stay alive.
In a world where escape is impossible, one monkey's courage could change everything.
The Monkey State is the first book in debut author J. R. Roberts's Monkey State Trilogy. Set in the Eldervaria rainforest—a new fantasy world—it's a series about escape, rebellion, and hope. Claude’s journey spans all three books and is best read in order.
Perfect for fans of 1984, Into The Wild and The Planet of the Apes, and all stories that inspire us to challenge our circumstances despite the risks it may entail. The Monkey State is a tale for anyone who feels trapped by their circumstances yet dares to dream of something more.
265 pages, Paperback
Published January 20, 2025
23 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 23, 2025
What became of the monkey monkey monkey monkey
I really enjoyed this book!! There were lots of bits I really liked, and the first one was the way the author took idioms and made them fit the monkey lore - I thought that was really clever. I tried to spot as many as I could while I was reading and I especially enjoyed 'curiosity killed the capuchin'. I also really liked the characters, they felt very 3D and the dynamics and dialogue between them all I felt was well done. I really liked Huckster, and its a toss-up between Huckster and Claude for my favourite character, with Tia definitely being one of my least favourite. I wonder if the author deliberately positioned the reader like that through the sibling rivalry or if thats just a me-thing, and if in book 2 my opinions will change on Tia. I absolutely loved the interaction between Claude and Freemon too - that entire scene was one of my favourites. Would definitely recommend, and I can't wait for the sequel!!
I really enjoyed this book!! There were lots of bits I really liked, and the first one was the way the author took idioms and made them fit the monkey lore - I thought that was really clever. I tried to spot as many as I could while I was reading and I especially enjoyed 'curiosity killed the capuchin'. I also really liked the characters, they felt very 3D and the dynamics and dialogue between them all I felt was well done. I really liked Huckster, and its a toss-up between Huckster and Claude for my favourite character, with Tia definitely being one of my least favourite. I wonder if the author deliberately positioned the reader like that through the sibling rivalry or if thats just a me-thing, and if in book 2 my opinions will change on Tia. I absolutely loved the interaction between Claude and Freemon too - that entire scene was one of my favourites. Would definitely recommend, and I can't wait for the sequel!!
February 4, 2026
4.5 stars rounding up! I was immediately draw into Claude’s world. I loved the parallels of the monkey’s world to our own, with the perfect amount of subtle differences allowing me to picture it all perfectly. Claude’s struggles felt all too real, raw and relatable. My only complaint is that it ended too soon and I can’t wait to follow along on his journey!
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July 21, 2025A fantastic book, reminiscent of Animal Farm but more positive. Excellent writing, even with quotes thrown in from eminent monkey philosophers and historians. The description of the monkeys’ habitat is great, combining forest creations with bureaucratic elements such as cubicles.
Claude is stuck in a humdrum, boring life, living to work on Floor 9, while the forest is slowly being destroyed with no thought for the ecology. The Monvida, a huge monkey, is the leader and villainess. She uses formidable howler monkeys to control the rest. Claude joins a resistance group and plans to escape, with pulse-pounding action at the climax. An enjoyable read.
Claude is stuck in a humdrum, boring life, living to work on Floor 9, while the forest is slowly being destroyed with no thought for the ecology. The Monvida, a huge monkey, is the leader and villainess. She uses formidable howler monkeys to control the rest. Claude joins a resistance group and plans to escape, with pulse-pounding action at the climax. An enjoyable read.
July 15, 2025
timely and fascinating
I didn’t think I would like this book. But it gripped me and I couldn’t stop reading. It’s far beyond a modern version of the planet of the apes. It personally touched me because of the alignment with my books. My books on climate education and climate adaptation were considered too political for Facebook ads ! The actions and thoughts of the protagonist match many of my own. The plot matches the oppression by the State and its anti environmental policies. It deeply challenges some current values unquestioned by many now. The writing is exciting and engaging. Feelings, often expressed with tails, help develop the depth and humanity of the characters. The physical context is imaginative but comes across as real.
Highly recommended.
I didn’t think I would like this book. But it gripped me and I couldn’t stop reading. It’s far beyond a modern version of the planet of the apes. It personally touched me because of the alignment with my books. My books on climate education and climate adaptation were considered too political for Facebook ads ! The actions and thoughts of the protagonist match many of my own. The plot matches the oppression by the State and its anti environmental policies. It deeply challenges some current values unquestioned by many now. The writing is exciting and engaging. Feelings, often expressed with tails, help develop the depth and humanity of the characters. The physical context is imaginative but comes across as real.
Highly recommended.
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February 8, 2026⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I finally got around to reading *The Monkey State*, and honestly, I’m so glad I did. What I expected to be a simple dystopian premise turned out to be a sharp, unsettling, and surprisingly insightful reflection on society, power, and what we choose to value as “progress.”
The idea of a hyper-logical, super-efficient ape society isn’t just a gimmick—it’s used brilliantly to hold up a mirror to our own world. Following the human protagonist through the ape bureaucracy felt intentionally uncomfortable, and that’s exactly the point. The predictability some might complain about actually reinforces the cold, mechanical nature of the system and makes the critique hit harder.
Rather than shallow characters, I read the ape leaders as deliberately uniform—an embodiment of what happens when individuality is sacrificed in the name of efficiency. And the emotional emptiness of the human characters isn’t a flaw either; it highlights how dehumanizing rigid systems can be, especially when logic is valued above empathy.
This isn’t a book that tries to entertain you with constant twists—it challenges you. It asks uncomfortable questions about technocracy, emotional intelligence, and whether a “perfectly rational” society is actually something we should want. I found myself thinking about it long after finishing the last page.
If you enjoy dystopian fiction that’s more philosophical than flashy—and books that aren’t afraid to provoke, unsettle, and spark debate—this one is absolutely worth your time.
I finally got around to reading *The Monkey State*, and honestly, I’m so glad I did. What I expected to be a simple dystopian premise turned out to be a sharp, unsettling, and surprisingly insightful reflection on society, power, and what we choose to value as “progress.”
The idea of a hyper-logical, super-efficient ape society isn’t just a gimmick—it’s used brilliantly to hold up a mirror to our own world. Following the human protagonist through the ape bureaucracy felt intentionally uncomfortable, and that’s exactly the point. The predictability some might complain about actually reinforces the cold, mechanical nature of the system and makes the critique hit harder.
Rather than shallow characters, I read the ape leaders as deliberately uniform—an embodiment of what happens when individuality is sacrificed in the name of efficiency. And the emotional emptiness of the human characters isn’t a flaw either; it highlights how dehumanizing rigid systems can be, especially when logic is valued above empathy.
This isn’t a book that tries to entertain you with constant twists—it challenges you. It asks uncomfortable questions about technocracy, emotional intelligence, and whether a “perfectly rational” society is actually something we should want. I found myself thinking about it long after finishing the last page.
If you enjoy dystopian fiction that’s more philosophical than flashy—and books that aren’t afraid to provoke, unsettle, and spark debate—this one is absolutely worth your time.
April 4, 2025
What a triumph! The author’s imagination, command of language and ability to draw the reader into Claude’s world is spot on. The rich descriptive text flows so easily and vividly and is so gripping that because I quickened my reading pace anxious to make sure the group got away I revisited the text in case I had missed any of the lush language in the rush! Humour, pathos and excellent detail runs throughout and leaves the reader totally invested in Claude’s wellbeing. Some of us have known a Claude, tried to be a Claude or wanted to be a Claude and some of us have taken a different path for many reasons but the author shows us that once the eye of the Toucan is seen choices disappear and there is no going back for Claude. He also takes care to paint the other Pichu characters in full so we invest in them all whether we initially like their viewpoint or not. Claude to me is now a Pichu monkey person. Bravo JR Roberts. Loved it and eagerly look forward to parts 2 and 3.
May 8, 2025
The Monkey State reads like a modern classic for those who love stories about camaraderie, courage, and breaks for freedom.
Claude is a truly relatable monkey. Disillusioned with his high-pressure job, he begins to wonder what else there is to the world besides his work cubicle and his patch of forest. Who hasn’t sat at their desk daydreaming about what else there is to do?
Poor Claude isn’t allowed such aspirations within his culture of work and obedience. Yet the more he works, the more he questions, and the more curious he becomes.
The Monkey State is a riveting read. It’s a beautifully written book that’ll have you rooting for the underdog (undermonkey). It has Planet of the Apes vibes mixed with Huxley’s the Island, and all the oppression of 1984. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
Claude is a truly relatable monkey. Disillusioned with his high-pressure job, he begins to wonder what else there is to the world besides his work cubicle and his patch of forest. Who hasn’t sat at their desk daydreaming about what else there is to do?
Poor Claude isn’t allowed such aspirations within his culture of work and obedience. Yet the more he works, the more he questions, and the more curious he becomes.
The Monkey State is a riveting read. It’s a beautifully written book that’ll have you rooting for the underdog (undermonkey). It has Planet of the Apes vibes mixed with Huxley’s the Island, and all the oppression of 1984. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
January 21, 2026
I was given a copy of this book by a friend a long time ago. I finally got round to reading it recently. The Monkey State—a dystopian book where super-smart apes run a super-efficient, cold society. Honestly, it was a letdown. The whole idea sounds cool, but the story itself just feels like a long setup for the author to rant about society. You follow this human rebel through the ape bureaucracy, but nothing really surprises you; it’s just a predictable march toward the next obvious point about how "logic bad, emotions good." The ape leaders are all the same, the humans have zero personality, and the whole world feels fake, built just to make a point. It’s less of a story and more of a drawn-out lecture, and by the end, you’re just tired of being talked at.
I was given the book for free, the person who gave it to me disliked it, and at least I can now see why.
I was given the book for free, the person who gave it to me disliked it, and at least I can now see why.
August 18, 2025
This book reminds me a lot of "Journey to the West" by Wu Cheng'en. The depictions of the monkey characters exhibiting human senses, the dreamy search of the paradisiacal land beyond the giant waterfall, and the very free-spirited, rebellious nature of Claude Talador are just top-notch! I couldn't help but read this book to the end, and I cannot wait to read the second book on what happens next! I recommend this book to all fiction readers.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews