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Interviews with an Ape
This is a book about vulnerable animals and the humans who interact with them. And it's about us. Our pasts and our present, and the way we see the world.
It's about the triumph of hope, our infinite capacities to endure and to love - and how we survive through the tales we tell.
Most of all it's a story of homecoming told through a gorilla called Einstein who comes to us with a remarkable secret. He can communicate with humans through sign language.
Interviews With An Ape is a work of imaginative daring, written with a direct simplicity yet deep insight. A novel of beginnings and endings, destruction and restoration, its many voices will linger long in the memory and in the heart.
It's about the triumph of hope, our infinite capacities to endure and to love - and how we survive through the tales we tell.
Most of all it's a story of homecoming told through a gorilla called Einstein who comes to us with a remarkable secret. He can communicate with humans through sign language.
Interviews With An Ape is a work of imaginative daring, written with a direct simplicity yet deep insight. A novel of beginnings and endings, destruction and restoration, its many voices will linger long in the memory and in the heart.
388 pages, Hardcover
First published July 22, 2021
19 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 7, 2021
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.
July 16, 2021
I was disappointed to find this has nothing to do with Koko, the actual ape who could speak in sign language, but is a totally fictionalised piece to wallow in human projections of the feelings of mistreated animals.
I can see the point of the book. Humans have a history of treating animals as if they don't have thoughts and feelings. They've been trafficked, made to perform, kept in too small cages battery raised for food and any number of cruelties. Let's not forget the total barbarism of the fox hunt!
It makes for a depressing read, each chapter representative of some of the worst treated animals in our thoughtless history. I can't say I enjoyed reading about these things. I'm just a bit disappointed that it wasn't what the title led me to assume, because actual interviews with the ape who could sign would be beyond fascinating
I can see the point of the book. Humans have a history of treating animals as if they don't have thoughts and feelings. They've been trafficked, made to perform, kept in too small cages battery raised for food and any number of cruelties. Let's not forget the total barbarism of the fox hunt!
It makes for a depressing read, each chapter representative of some of the worst treated animals in our thoughtless history. I can't say I enjoyed reading about these things. I'm just a bit disappointed that it wasn't what the title led me to assume, because actual interviews with the ape who could sign would be beyond fascinating
March 13, 2023
Omg where do I start... this is so so SO sad and it was really hard to read at times :(. Each chapter is narrated by a different animal, and from their perspective, we learn about the brutality of humankind through their treatment. It’s shocking, devastating, totally captivating, and real. It’s a must read for anyone who cares about animals and the planet. It's really opened my eyes.
September 29, 2023
I understand how Ape has drawn praise such as “powerful” (Michael Palin) and “thought-provoking” (Joanna Lumley). But compelling? Not really, Joanna.
Though the central premise is a signing gorilla, we get POV chapters from an aquarium orca, tortured sow, old foxhound and other animals. An elephant? I think so. Quite jarring in places as a result and we don’t really go through enough with any characters, including the humans, to properly care. If it was less diluted, maybe the plots could have converged?
The best parts, or at least the most memorable, were those where the human stories (interlaced with the animals’) had stakes — the Boss and Billy plot probably the standout.
I mostly planned to award two stars for this, but it came good (enough) in the end for three.
Though the central premise is a signing gorilla, we get POV chapters from an aquarium orca, tortured sow, old foxhound and other animals. An elephant? I think so. Quite jarring in places as a result and we don’t really go through enough with any characters, including the humans, to properly care. If it was less diluted, maybe the plots could have converged?
The best parts, or at least the most memorable, were those where the human stories (interlaced with the animals’) had stakes — the Boss and Billy plot probably the standout.
I mostly planned to award two stars for this, but it came good (enough) in the end for three.
July 20, 2021
Interviews with an Ape is a beautifully written and surprising book from the perspective of many misunderstood and mistreated animals, including Einstein the Gorilla who can sign, and the humans who look after them. It’s a powerful, fictional story, yet it totally feels real and true.
Something drew me to this book I cannot explain, based on the blurb it is not one I would usually pick up. Having requested this book and read very few reviews (few available), I started reading with an open and curious mind to where it would go. I have to say, I was very pleasantly surprised and the more I read, the less I wanted to put it down. I really enjoyed the story and the emotional journey I travelled through while reading. Will definitely be recommending this book!
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House UK, Cornerstone, AND Felice Fallon for this read!
Something drew me to this book I cannot explain, based on the blurb it is not one I would usually pick up. Having requested this book and read very few reviews (few available), I started reading with an open and curious mind to where it would go. I have to say, I was very pleasantly surprised and the more I read, the less I wanted to put it down. I really enjoyed the story and the emotional journey I travelled through while reading. Will definitely be recommending this book!
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House UK, Cornerstone, AND Felice Fallon for this read!
July 22, 2021
DNF
The story is about a gorilla that has learnt sign language and is able to translate the stories of other animals such as performing orcas, fox hounds, farm pigs and so on.
I know that we humans are often awful to animals to say the least but I found this too one dimensional. Every human seems incredibly cruel and I couldn't really convince myself of the animal stories. The Roma characters were also heavily stereotyped which is disappointing especially from a recent publication.
Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story is about a gorilla that has learnt sign language and is able to translate the stories of other animals such as performing orcas, fox hounds, farm pigs and so on.
I know that we humans are often awful to animals to say the least but I found this too one dimensional. Every human seems incredibly cruel and I couldn't really convince myself of the animal stories. The Roma characters were also heavily stereotyped which is disappointing especially from a recent publication.
Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 13, 2021
A fine book that excels in highlighting the devastation humans cause to a multitude of animals. It's uplifting in places and tragic throughout but despite writing about an important cause, this book feels simplistic and somewhat patronising.
If Disney collaborated with PETA, this book would be their melancholic child.
If Disney collaborated with PETA, this book would be their melancholic child.
July 7, 2021
I love animals, so for me to choose this book was an absolute no-brainer.
This is one of my favourite books of the year. It holds such power between its pages: the power of life and death; the (perceived) power of the human race over other species; the power of love; the power of respect and compassion for all beings; and the power to make me feel such sorrow, pain, and humiliation to be a member of this human race.
I have read quite a few works recently that have pulled emotions from me, but this book, in its simplicity and spoken by Einstein, a male gorilla using sign language, just completely drained me. I sobbed like a wee child at the end.
I finished 'Interviews with an Ape' about a week ago and Einstein is still living with me in my mind and in my heart. I'm not usually at a loss for words (ask my husband!), but I'm honestly struggling to express my thoughts.
Please, read this for yourselves, your children, and your grandchildren. Read it with a heart and mind full of open honesty, and think about what we do as a race, to animals, to ourselves, to others, and to the planet.
I chose an ARC copy of this via NetGalley, which I voluntarily read and honestly reviewed. All opinions are my own.
This is one of my favourite books of the year. It holds such power between its pages: the power of life and death; the (perceived) power of the human race over other species; the power of love; the power of respect and compassion for all beings; and the power to make me feel such sorrow, pain, and humiliation to be a member of this human race.
I have read quite a few works recently that have pulled emotions from me, but this book, in its simplicity and spoken by Einstein, a male gorilla using sign language, just completely drained me. I sobbed like a wee child at the end.
I finished 'Interviews with an Ape' about a week ago and Einstein is still living with me in my mind and in my heart. I'm not usually at a loss for words (ask my husband!), but I'm honestly struggling to express my thoughts.
Please, read this for yourselves, your children, and your grandchildren. Read it with a heart and mind full of open honesty, and think about what we do as a race, to animals, to ourselves, to others, and to the planet.
I chose an ARC copy of this via NetGalley, which I voluntarily read and honestly reviewed. All opinions are my own.
July 22, 2021
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.
August 25, 2022
Plain speaking book full of facts (and they ARE facts, no matter how much one wishes they weren’t). Imaginatively written story of the ways humans abuse animals for our own ends. Read it, sit with it, let it change you.
July 17, 2021
“…I can see in her eyes that she feels exhilarated by our contact. Contact with a wild creature. But there’s nothing wild about me here.”
An important but devastating book. Luckily, one that’s as beautiful as it is painful. I cried multiple times at these fictional (but incredibly real) situations that these animals become trapped in.
There are stories from elephants poached for their ivory, orcas forced to perform, foxhounds donated to labs, bears farmed for bile, sows forced to milk and of course a very intelligent ape called Einstein (the main narrator) who is placed in captivity in a zoo after a mighty ordeal at a circus. An ape who can communicate with humans through sign language.
In turn, through Einstein, each animal shares their story of how humans treat them so despicably for their own gain but, more than that, these stories highlight how humans can vary greatly in their tendencies for both cruelty and kindness.
Favourite quote:
“She told me not to expect too much, because it takes a long time for people to change their ways. A single thread cannot become a chord, and a single tree does not make a forest. She said Uncle told her this, and he’s right. But it’s also true that a single spark can create a blaze.”
Interviews with an Ape will be available from 22nd of July 2021. Thank you to NetGalley for the Arc.
An important but devastating book. Luckily, one that’s as beautiful as it is painful. I cried multiple times at these fictional (but incredibly real) situations that these animals become trapped in.
There are stories from elephants poached for their ivory, orcas forced to perform, foxhounds donated to labs, bears farmed for bile, sows forced to milk and of course a very intelligent ape called Einstein (the main narrator) who is placed in captivity in a zoo after a mighty ordeal at a circus. An ape who can communicate with humans through sign language.
In turn, through Einstein, each animal shares their story of how humans treat them so despicably for their own gain but, more than that, these stories highlight how humans can vary greatly in their tendencies for both cruelty and kindness.
Favourite quote:
“She told me not to expect too much, because it takes a long time for people to change their ways. A single thread cannot become a chord, and a single tree does not make a forest. She said Uncle told her this, and he’s right. But it’s also true that a single spark can create a blaze.”
Interviews with an Ape will be available from 22nd of July 2021. Thank you to NetGalley for the Arc.
March 24, 2023
Very cute read. Strong animal rights focus + powerful themes of connection. Some of the prose from the perspectives of animals was a bit cringey at first but I was soon gripped by the interlocking stories
October 17, 2021
I had no idea what to expect from this book. But having just finished it I'm blown away by the power of its words.
Written from the perspective of animals suffering at the hands of humans, as well as from some of the humans' perspective, this is such an important message.
Written so cleverly, with a narrative about Einstein the gorilla, weaving its way through, I defy anyone not to be incredibly moved, and at times, ashamed, of how we treat wild creatures and destroy lives.
Political, philosophical, moving and powerful, this book needs to be read.
Written from the perspective of animals suffering at the hands of humans, as well as from some of the humans' perspective, this is such an important message.
Written so cleverly, with a narrative about Einstein the gorilla, weaving its way through, I defy anyone not to be incredibly moved, and at times, ashamed, of how we treat wild creatures and destroy lives.
Political, philosophical, moving and powerful, this book needs to be read.
March 6, 2022
*I received a free ARC of this book, with thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
This book was a lot bleaker than I initially expected from the whimsical premise. A signing ape called Einstein conducts a series of interviews with different species of animals (and later, with various humans too). Through the course of these interviews, the author lays bare the various horrific cruelties inflicted by homo sapiens on the natural world and its inhabitants.
We see the perspectives of a hunting dog, a captive orca, an orphaned elephant, a breeding sow, a poacher’s daughter, a journalist, and every single thread reveals an unrelenting tapestry of misery and viciousness. So at first, I floundered a little, in the kind of discomfort you feel when unexpectedly faced with a graphic PETA ad. (I need to note that this discomfort is important in facing the issues in question honestly and is definitely a valuable and effective technique in raising awareness and in calling to action).
I found my footing in this novel when the various individual story threads began weaving together to form more of a coherent narrative – instead of the initial disparate tales of woe – and those connections enabled me to fully invest in the main characters, forcing me to confront previously ignored realities about how we treat the other (non-human and human) inhabitants of our world.
This wasn’t easy to read, but it was extremely well-written, and the important message within is delivered with graphic and memorable clarity. I feel like this should be on the curriculum for everybody to read, as a unique and fresh perspective on a well-worn global issue.
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
This book was a lot bleaker than I initially expected from the whimsical premise. A signing ape called Einstein conducts a series of interviews with different species of animals (and later, with various humans too). Through the course of these interviews, the author lays bare the various horrific cruelties inflicted by homo sapiens on the natural world and its inhabitants.
We see the perspectives of a hunting dog, a captive orca, an orphaned elephant, a breeding sow, a poacher’s daughter, a journalist, and every single thread reveals an unrelenting tapestry of misery and viciousness. So at first, I floundered a little, in the kind of discomfort you feel when unexpectedly faced with a graphic PETA ad. (I need to note that this discomfort is important in facing the issues in question honestly and is definitely a valuable and effective technique in raising awareness and in calling to action).
I found my footing in this novel when the various individual story threads began weaving together to form more of a coherent narrative – instead of the initial disparate tales of woe – and those connections enabled me to fully invest in the main characters, forcing me to confront previously ignored realities about how we treat the other (non-human and human) inhabitants of our world.
This wasn’t easy to read, but it was extremely well-written, and the important message within is delivered with graphic and memorable clarity. I feel like this should be on the curriculum for everybody to read, as a unique and fresh perspective on a well-worn global issue.
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
August 1, 2021
Polemical, Passionate, Sometimes Unremittingly Brutal : Preaching to the Converted? 3.5
The importance of the subject matter of Felice Fallon’s first book can’t be overstated : Humankind’s greed, narcissism and brutality are destroying our planet, and cruelly decimating those other feeling, sentient creatures we share this world with
Unbearable to read at times, I did however find that my critical faculties as a reader were making judgements : there is almost an unremitting ‘other animals, endlessly noble;’ repetition; human animals, almost unremittingly monstrous. At times I felt this bordered on sentimentality and might just be a preaching to the converted read – readers involved in Animal Rights movements, Vegan and Vegetarians will ‘enjoy’ this in a kind of ‘we are off the hook’ way, even as they/we weep our way through the wicked brutality of our species (but other members of it) towards non-human animals. I wondered whether meat eaters will actually read this?
However, as I got further into this book, my star rating rose – primarily because eventually there were certain more nuanced sections, where humans doing ‘bad things’ were not just portrayed as wilful sadistic psychopaths (there are rather too many of those within these pages) Sometimes we need to understand that bad things are done by people without the luxury of free choices.
I think this would have been a more interesting and possibly more hard-hitting book if there were fewer out and out aberrant people doing brutal things because of their obvious pathology. The humans within these pages are, for the most part, either those evil ones, or the few of exceptional saintliness.
The importance of the subject matter of Felice Fallon’s first book can’t be overstated : Humankind’s greed, narcissism and brutality are destroying our planet, and cruelly decimating those other feeling, sentient creatures we share this world with
Unbearable to read at times, I did however find that my critical faculties as a reader were making judgements : there is almost an unremitting ‘other animals, endlessly noble;’ repetition; human animals, almost unremittingly monstrous. At times I felt this bordered on sentimentality and might just be a preaching to the converted read – readers involved in Animal Rights movements, Vegan and Vegetarians will ‘enjoy’ this in a kind of ‘we are off the hook’ way, even as they/we weep our way through the wicked brutality of our species (but other members of it) towards non-human animals. I wondered whether meat eaters will actually read this?
However, as I got further into this book, my star rating rose – primarily because eventually there were certain more nuanced sections, where humans doing ‘bad things’ were not just portrayed as wilful sadistic psychopaths (there are rather too many of those within these pages) Sometimes we need to understand that bad things are done by people without the luxury of free choices.
I think this would have been a more interesting and possibly more hard-hitting book if there were fewer out and out aberrant people doing brutal things because of their obvious pathology. The humans within these pages are, for the most part, either those evil ones, or the few of exceptional saintliness.
September 7, 2021
A painful, gut-wrenching read that is fundamentally important in its subject matter. In Interviews with an Ape we meet a number of animals who have had their lives disrupted from nature's intended course by humans. All are brutal narratives and heartbreaking. As an animal lover I struggled through more than one of tales. But, I persevered and was next introduced to the humans who inflicted themselves on these animals. Some were cruel, yes, but most were victims of difficult life circumstances and had to do what they needed to to survive and feed their families. A thought provoking section that showed that animals were not the only casualties in this novel. The next set of people we met were the ones actively working to better the lives of the animals by bringing hope to the cruel situations of the animals we, by now, know rather well and care for.
This is a story of man's cruelty but also one of hope. We can make a difference in the choices we make, in the food we eat, in the medicines and products we buy. We, as humans, are intelligent but must ensure the power, knowledge and reasoning we possess is used to the betterment of animals and the wider world rather than using them to fulfill our own selfish ends. Interviews with an Ape is a thought-provoking read that makes me view things differently and hope it opens the eyes of the masses to the plight of animals globally.
This is a story of man's cruelty but also one of hope. We can make a difference in the choices we make, in the food we eat, in the medicines and products we buy. We, as humans, are intelligent but must ensure the power, knowledge and reasoning we possess is used to the betterment of animals and the wider world rather than using them to fulfill our own selfish ends. Interviews with an Ape is a thought-provoking read that makes me view things differently and hope it opens the eyes of the masses to the plight of animals globally.
February 22, 2023
2023 Thumbnail Review #9 Interviews with an Ape by Felice Fallon
I had very high hopes of this, but was sadly disappointed. The premise is great: a reporter meets a gorilla who can converse fully using sign language. They not only talk, they tour the world and the gorilla interacts with other animals (a pig, a foxhound, an orca, an elephant) who tell their own stories. The book purports to be transcripts of their accounts, and those of some associated humans.
Alas, it fails on two counts. Firstly, I hoped it would attempt to say something about animal cognition, intelligence and communication. Instead we just get a group of talking ‘animals’, like something out of Narnia. For example, the Orca says ‘Here I am simply a prisoner held against my will with no hope of parole.’ It’s not really possible for an orca to have a concept of ‘parole’, is it?
Secondly, it’s not so much a novel as an animal rights manifesto. The animals are all treated appallingly by humans: they’re orphaned, maltreated, kept in cages, and so on. The animals are all victims, the humans are all abusers. There’s no nuance or subtlety.
It's a pity because the subject matter is very much of our time. But it didn’t prove informative or profitable.
I had very high hopes of this, but was sadly disappointed. The premise is great: a reporter meets a gorilla who can converse fully using sign language. They not only talk, they tour the world and the gorilla interacts with other animals (a pig, a foxhound, an orca, an elephant) who tell their own stories. The book purports to be transcripts of their accounts, and those of some associated humans.
Alas, it fails on two counts. Firstly, I hoped it would attempt to say something about animal cognition, intelligence and communication. Instead we just get a group of talking ‘animals’, like something out of Narnia. For example, the Orca says ‘Here I am simply a prisoner held against my will with no hope of parole.’ It’s not really possible for an orca to have a concept of ‘parole’, is it?
Secondly, it’s not so much a novel as an animal rights manifesto. The animals are all treated appallingly by humans: they’re orphaned, maltreated, kept in cages, and so on. The animals are all victims, the humans are all abusers. There’s no nuance or subtlety.
It's a pity because the subject matter is very much of our time. But it didn’t prove informative or profitable.
August 22, 2021
This is a thought provkinkg book and as such has left me very undecided as how exactly to review it. It could mean so many different things to different people.
Overall, it is extremely readable, and very much a page turner, enhanced by the format of intertwining narratives. The central message is clear and articulated in a way that will make you consider how far it is acceptable to go to do the 'right' thing.
The human characters are well described, particularly where they are a complex mixture of both positive and negative motives and behaviours. Which brings me to the non-human characters; I feel that the degree of anthropomorphism is determined by the need to maintain the narrative and the message. This left me feeling a little uncomfortable, but I think this could be intentional by the author (or not). I certainly feel that it made me think more intensely about the relationships between the 'human' and 'non-human' characters in terms of intellect and emotion.
Throughout this review, I have used the same terms 'human' and 'non-human' as the author because I think they are particularly well suited to this narrative, and after all, we are all animals.
Overall, it is extremely readable, and very much a page turner, enhanced by the format of intertwining narratives. The central message is clear and articulated in a way that will make you consider how far it is acceptable to go to do the 'right' thing.
The human characters are well described, particularly where they are a complex mixture of both positive and negative motives and behaviours. Which brings me to the non-human characters; I feel that the degree of anthropomorphism is determined by the need to maintain the narrative and the message. This left me feeling a little uncomfortable, but I think this could be intentional by the author (or not). I certainly feel that it made me think more intensely about the relationships between the 'human' and 'non-human' characters in terms of intellect and emotion.
Throughout this review, I have used the same terms 'human' and 'non-human' as the author because I think they are particularly well suited to this narrative, and after all, we are all animals.
January 3, 2022
Absolutely beautiful book
I've never read a book so desperately before, I could not and would not put this down. I didn't know what to expect from this book but it did not let me down.
This is written from the perspective of a Gorilla that can communicate with humans and animals. It is completely fiction so don't read it with ideas of Koko and real life animals in mind.
It follows not only the Gorillas story but also one of an Orca, pig, Elephant and foxhound. We read about their lives, the difficulties they face and how all of them are due to humans. A lot of these animals problems and troubles are based off of true events and things that happen quite regularly (sow crates, fox hunting, animal testing, performing, poachers, killing trainers etc).
This book will break your heart, make you cry, make you love, make you hate and make you want to change the world.
The only thing I didn't like was the comparison of zoos to prisons at the beginning of the book. Un-true and unnecessary. Animals are not in zoos because they have broken a law and committed a dangerous act. They are there because us humans have destroyed their natural habitat. It is now up to us to fix our mess.
I've never read a book so desperately before, I could not and would not put this down. I didn't know what to expect from this book but it did not let me down.
This is written from the perspective of a Gorilla that can communicate with humans and animals. It is completely fiction so don't read it with ideas of Koko and real life animals in mind.
It follows not only the Gorillas story but also one of an Orca, pig, Elephant and foxhound. We read about their lives, the difficulties they face and how all of them are due to humans. A lot of these animals problems and troubles are based off of true events and things that happen quite regularly (sow crates, fox hunting, animal testing, performing, poachers, killing trainers etc).
This book will break your heart, make you cry, make you love, make you hate and make you want to change the world.
The only thing I didn't like was the comparison of zoos to prisons at the beginning of the book. Un-true and unnecessary. Animals are not in zoos because they have broken a law and committed a dangerous act. They are there because us humans have destroyed their natural habitat. It is now up to us to fix our mess.
June 26, 2021
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.
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.
December 5, 2024
A good solid book albeit a bit jarring at times. I think the point of the book and its underlying tone of humans treatments of animals was an important one to be told. Einstein the ape was a fantastic character and I enjoyed his sections the most along with the human characters and their justifications. A more trimmed down cast would have served this book well.
I would’ve given the book a 4 however it fell slightly short due to the following:
- The first 100 pages follow various animal characters through torturous situations, I understood why you needed these stories but after such a relentless amount of pages of darkness I was struggling to push on with the book.
- Too many characters, some of the animal characters and human ones you do not revisit for many many pages, which if I’m honest I had forgotten what happened to them and had to re-read to refresh myself. It was a jarring jump between Warzone and then the next pages a girl tending to a bear sanctuary.
By no means a bad book and an enjoyable read Part 2 onwards.
I would’ve given the book a 4 however it fell slightly short due to the following:
- The first 100 pages follow various animal characters through torturous situations, I understood why you needed these stories but after such a relentless amount of pages of darkness I was struggling to push on with the book.
- Too many characters, some of the animal characters and human ones you do not revisit for many many pages, which if I’m honest I had forgotten what happened to them and had to re-read to refresh myself. It was a jarring jump between Warzone and then the next pages a girl tending to a bear sanctuary.
By no means a bad book and an enjoyable read Part 2 onwards.
July 20, 2021
This book is hard to review because although this is a book based on fictionalisation of current events case studies have proven that animals such as parrots and gorillas for example koko have been proven to have high cognition levels. I think that this is good as an awareness book for the general public and I think raising awareness also helps to raise funding to protect animals and create new legislations to cover welfare of all species. From the point of view of an animal care student I think this is good for general consumption but I was expecting more of a real life case study to be included or woven into this story as there has been many studies that prove that this cognition level has been taught from sigh language speech and understanding, comprehension and learning between human and animals. I rated this three stars because I think it was great for promotion of species and cognition but personally I feel like it was lacking in evidence to back up it.
June 19, 2021
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
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
July 26, 2021
WoW this was a beautiful written book called "Interviews with an Ape" by Felice Fallon I was drawn to the cover especially as I love apes and I was not wrong......it was just amazing to read and very upsetting at times. that had a big impact on me.....
But I am so glad I read it. It is a book that Should be read and for more people to be aware on Einstein, the famous gorilla, Felice tells his story and along with other vulnerable animals stories. This made me think, Some humans can be so cruel especially to these beautiful animals. I needed tissues when I read this book and it took me a while to get through it. This book mixed with all my emotions and it should be a book that is read!
But I am so glad I read it. It is a book that Should be read and for more people to be aware on Einstein, the famous gorilla, Felice tells his story and along with other vulnerable animals stories. This made me think, Some humans can be so cruel especially to these beautiful animals. I needed tissues when I read this book and it took me a while to get through it. This book mixed with all my emotions and it should be a book that is read!
September 9, 2021
Foxhound, starved in order to chase foxes, Sow, kept in inhumane conditions to provide cheap food, Elephant, orphaned for tusks, and Orca forced to perform for humans. Their despairing and harrowing stories told via Einstein, an Ape that can communicate with humans. 'It takes a long time for people to change their ways, a single thread cannot become a chord, a single tree does not make a Forest, however a single spark can make a great fire'...
What a unique tale, written with such emotion. No psychological plot twist, a genuine raw book about good versus evil, right versus wrong, life versus death. Excellent
What a unique tale, written with such emotion. No psychological plot twist, a genuine raw book about good versus evil, right versus wrong, life versus death. Excellent
May 20, 2022
Beautifully crafted and original telling of a compelling story essential to our times. Through the voices of various sympathetic animals, especially the remarkable ape named Einstein, and the humans who interact with them — ranging from the brutal and desperate to the truly kind and committed — we are confronted with the harsh and often complex realities of human relationships with each other and the natural world. But Ms. Fallon does not leave us despairing, rather she calls us to our higher instincts with a deeper understanding of our part in creating the world we all inhabit and must share.
March 18, 2025
I read this book in one sitting. Brilliant and impactful. I don’t think I will ever forget this book.
Although a work of fiction, the trauma each different animal is subjected to at the hands of humans is factual. Even with all that cruelty, the author allows space for those humans to tell their side; not to try and excuse what they do/did but to give the reader an insight as to why some do what they do. And to highlight that this abuse of animals is not perpetrated only by black market criminals but also indirectly by legitimate bodies, whether governments turning a blind eye or by zoos selling animals to private collectors etc.
Everyone should read this book. Tears will be shed.
Although a work of fiction, the trauma each different animal is subjected to at the hands of humans is factual. Even with all that cruelty, the author allows space for those humans to tell their side; not to try and excuse what they do/did but to give the reader an insight as to why some do what they do. And to highlight that this abuse of animals is not perpetrated only by black market criminals but also indirectly by legitimate bodies, whether governments turning a blind eye or by zoos selling animals to private collectors etc.
Everyone should read this book. Tears will be shed.
August 29, 2021
A heartbreaking and horrifying portrait of the abuse and exploitation of animals by humans. From poaching to vivisection, our total disregard for the pain and distress we inflict and the destruction of habitats and species is laid bare. Told from the point of view of the animals and also the human protagonists, we see that poverty and desperation can sometimes result in unspeakable horrors. That said, as long as we treat the natural world with such casual indifference and arrogance there will always a market and willingness to continue.
July 4, 2024
Incredibly poignant look at the relationship between humans and animals, and how destructive humans can be. Some aspects felt a little shallow and on the nose, skirting over deeper insights into the development of the plot and characters. While I was very connected with both the animals and humans in the story, I felt the style/format of the story betrayed its ability allow me to feel more.
I was also confused how Einstein can sign to communicate with humans, but can’t understand spoken language - yet all the other animals in the story can?
I was also confused how Einstein can sign to communicate with humans, but can’t understand spoken language - yet all the other animals in the story can?
July 15, 2021
This is a difficult book to review.
This book forces you to open your eyes to the cruelty of humans, in how we treat each other and animals. It is written from the point of view of both, the humans who are cruel, the animals that are suffering and the humans that try to help them.
This was a painful book to read and will leave a long lasting impact on me.
The only reason I have given this 4 stars instead of 5 is because I only give 5 stars to books I will read again. Interviews with an Ape upset me too much the first time I read it, I couldn’t put myself through it again.
This book forces you to open your eyes to the cruelty of humans, in how we treat each other and animals. It is written from the point of view of both, the humans who are cruel, the animals that are suffering and the humans that try to help them.
This was a painful book to read and will leave a long lasting impact on me.
The only reason I have given this 4 stars instead of 5 is because I only give 5 stars to books I will read again. Interviews with an Ape upset me too much the first time I read it, I couldn’t put myself through it again.
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