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Jeremy and Amy: The Extraordinary True Story of One Man and His Orang-Utan
Jeremy Keeling first met Amy, an abandoned orang-utan, when he was looking after the private menagerie of music impresario Gordon Mills. Amy had been born to an orang-utan with no maternal instincts and Jeremy, feeling a connection with the rejected primate, hand-reared her. A friendship was forged that would become the defining relationship of both their lives. One day in 1984, when Jeremy was driving along with one-year-old Amy sitting beside him in the passenger seat, he fell asleep at the wheel and caused a horrific car crash. The first policeman on the scene crawled into the wreckage where he was staggered to see a hairy, non-human hand cradling Jeremy’s head amid the glass and twisted metal: having been saved by Jeremy, Amy now refused to let him go. For Jeremy, it was to be a long convalescence, but he and Amy joined forces with Jim Cronin, a tough-talking primate-lover from the Bronx, who shared his vision of creating a sanctuary for abused and abandoned monkeys. Pooling their knowledge, passion and meagre resources, the two men took on a derelict pig farm in Dorset and, over the next twenty years, slowly transformed it into a 65-acre, cage-less sanctuary for beleaguered primates, rescued from poachers, photographers and scientists on daring raids. Monkey World is now internationally famous and attracts some 800,000 visitors a year. This is a high-wire adventure story of grit and determination, and of love, hope and 88 Capuchin monkeys in the back of a Hercules transport plane, but most of all, at its heart, it is an inspiring tale of the life-changing bond between one man and his ape.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2010
32 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
October 11, 2022
Heartbreaking and heartwarming. I grew up watching the shows ‘Monkey Life’ and ‘Monkey Business’ so getting to read in depth about how the Ape Rescue Centre came to be whilst getting an insight into the lives of those involved and all the animals in it felt like a genuine honour.
Probably more on the heartbreaking side as the reality of what is happening to endangered species is laid bare: from the effects of deforestation to the private wild animal trade. Those who dedicate their lives to animal rescue and conservation are amazing and it’s something I hadn’t thought much about until this read. Depressed now!
Probably more on the heartbreaking side as the reality of what is happening to endangered species is laid bare: from the effects of deforestation to the private wild animal trade. Those who dedicate their lives to animal rescue and conservation are amazing and it’s something I hadn’t thought much about until this read. Depressed now!
August 3, 2013
I love Jeremy's infatuation with the orange people, one which I share. There are never enough episodes of Monkey Life. To finally learn how Jim left this world was very sad but I am so glad Jeremy and Alison keep on. An honest book about Jeremy's life and that of Amy and all the monkeys at Monkey World. A heartwarming read.
July 31, 2025
some heartbreaking and heartwarming stories and insights about orangutans, chimps and the start of monkey world. the place and the people are doing great work. bloke had a mental personal life though
September 4, 2012
This was an incredibly moving story of one man and his best friend, the curmudgeonly Amy. Knowing something of Monkey World's role, it was amazing and heart-wrenching to see where one of it's more well known faces had came from, and how he and Jim Cronin MBE had built Monkey World from a derelict pig farm in Dorset. Well worth a read, and definitely a book I couldn't put down - I had to stop only once to go to bed!
March 4, 2019
An absolutely amazing book. I’ve been to Monkey World and seen some of the monkeys and apes that have been mentioned in the book, and felt very lucky to have my photograph taken with Jeremy. I have cried quite a lot whilst reading it, and was so saddened by his past, and the ways he has tried to overcome it, by looking after these beautiful creatures. Having watched all the series of Monkey Business, and then more recently, Monkey World, I can hear his voice in the text, and hear him saying ‘coconut head’ about the baby orange people!!! We learn more about the sad death of Jim, and how that affected the whole park, and everyone around him. Beautiful book, probably the most emotional book I have read for some time.
July 29, 2025
This book holds a very special place in my heart
This book holds a very special place in my heart. As someone who has followed Monkey Life through every season, adopted monkeys at Monkey World, and had the unforgettable experience of visiting the park last September, where I was lucky enough to meet Jeremy himself, reading Jeremy & Amy felt deeply personal.
The memoir offers so much more than just the story of one man and one extraordinary orang-utan. It’s a moving, honest, and often raw account of Jeremy Keeling’s life: his childhood, his struggles, and the path that led him to dedicate himself so fully to the lives of primates. What struck me most was how vulnerable and sincere his writing is. He doesn’t shy away from difficult memories, and that makes the connection he shares with animals, especially Amy, all the more powerful.
Reading Jeremy’s side of the story, the real, behind-the-scenes version of a life spent caring for rescued primates, gave me a whole new layer of appreciation for Monkey World. His bond with Amy, the orang-utan he raised from infancy, is unlike anything I’ve ever read before. It’s not just a story about animal care; it’s a story about love, loss, healing, and finding one’s purpose in the most unexpected of places.
For anyone who loves animals, especially primates, or who has been touched by Monkey World in any way, this book is a must-read. But even beyond that, Jeremy & Amy is simply a beautiful memoir about the quiet ways we save each other, human and animal alike.
This book holds a very special place in my heart. As someone who has followed Monkey Life through every season, adopted monkeys at Monkey World, and had the unforgettable experience of visiting the park last September, where I was lucky enough to meet Jeremy himself, reading Jeremy & Amy felt deeply personal.
The memoir offers so much more than just the story of one man and one extraordinary orang-utan. It’s a moving, honest, and often raw account of Jeremy Keeling’s life: his childhood, his struggles, and the path that led him to dedicate himself so fully to the lives of primates. What struck me most was how vulnerable and sincere his writing is. He doesn’t shy away from difficult memories, and that makes the connection he shares with animals, especially Amy, all the more powerful.
Reading Jeremy’s side of the story, the real, behind-the-scenes version of a life spent caring for rescued primates, gave me a whole new layer of appreciation for Monkey World. His bond with Amy, the orang-utan he raised from infancy, is unlike anything I’ve ever read before. It’s not just a story about animal care; it’s a story about love, loss, healing, and finding one’s purpose in the most unexpected of places.
For anyone who loves animals, especially primates, or who has been touched by Monkey World in any way, this book is a must-read. But even beyond that, Jeremy & Amy is simply a beautiful memoir about the quiet ways we save each other, human and animal alike.
July 2, 2017
A beautiful tale of two neglected souls, joining forces with a man with a pipe dream... It was an unbelievable read that I just couldn't put down. Read in less than 24 hours. Jeremy Keeling is a real life hero, as are Jim and Alison Cronin.
You won't be disappointed if you read this today.
You won't be disappointed if you read this today.
August 6, 2011
Enjoyed this book about Jeremy and Amy from Monkey World. He certainly had a hard life.
February 13, 2021
Really interesting account of both his personal and professional life and his relationships with the animals and Jim & Alison from Monkey World.
September 10, 2013
as the title says an extraordinary story that is still going on
December 14, 2017
still just as good as when i read it for the first time. loved it.
May 11, 2023
With various tales of animal husbandry back in the day before standards were raised and generally poor practice of animals, this book isn't for animal lovers.
Jeremy didn't come across to me as a particularly pleasant person either; I'd be surprised if he was still married to his 5th wife. There were times he came across as quite pompous and just not in a good light, which made it hard to keep reading.
On top of that, Amy wasn't particularly special. In fact, Jeremy often says how she has attitude and acts almost nonchalant towards him. Maybe I naively expected them to have some deep bond and/or Amy had some big character and many tales to be shared about her but I didn't see any of that in the book. The only tie he has with Amy was that he raised her for a number of years. I felt like this book should've been called the "Trials and Tribulations of Monkey World".
It got more interesting in the end when he shared some personal issues in his past and the sad passing of Jim, and that made it easier to kind of feel for and understand Jeremy.
There were numerous errors in the book, even near the beginning or there'd be two or three errors within the same paragraph.
I was originally going to rate it 2 stars but the ending picked up and was more interesting to read about, so I'd give it a 2.5 or 3 stars.
Jeremy didn't come across to me as a particularly pleasant person either; I'd be surprised if he was still married to his 5th wife. There were times he came across as quite pompous and just not in a good light, which made it hard to keep reading.
On top of that, Amy wasn't particularly special. In fact, Jeremy often says how she has attitude and acts almost nonchalant towards him. Maybe I naively expected them to have some deep bond and/or Amy had some big character and many tales to be shared about her but I didn't see any of that in the book. The only tie he has with Amy was that he raised her for a number of years. I felt like this book should've been called the "Trials and Tribulations of Monkey World".
It got more interesting in the end when he shared some personal issues in his past and the sad passing of Jim, and that made it easier to kind of feel for and understand Jeremy.
There were numerous errors in the book, even near the beginning or there'd be two or three errors within the same paragraph.
I was originally going to rate it 2 stars but the ending picked up and was more interesting to read about, so I'd give it a 2.5 or 3 stars.
March 9, 2023
Title might be a bit misleading, yes it was a story of Jeremy and Amy, but just briefly. It was more of a story of Jeremy and his life with monkeys and apes. Yes they did live together and Jeremy did raise Amy, but she was introduced to other orangutans as soon as possible. They still saw on daily basis, but lived separate lives. If you're after story of them you might be disappointed, but my opinion this book offered so much more and I'm glad it was not a story of just a man and his orangutan. It was a brief but still pretty good overlook for monkey business and animal trade during the decades. In a way it is a very sad what all these individuals had to go through and at the same time s heartwarming there is people and places that does work for good cause and taking care these unfortunate ones. Shame on us that there is such a need in the first place. And it's fantastic that attitudes and behaviour towards animals and use of them is changing. We'll worth the read to give you a some kind of an insight for the monkey business.
January 29, 2022
A heart-warming book of Jeremy's life and the history of Monkey World. I first read this book when I was a teenager and keep going back to it. I laughed, cried and this is probably the fastest I've read a book in my entire life. This book will be treasured forever and I'll be sure to pass it onto my children - well I'll probably get them another copy because I'll constantly be asking to borrow it for another read.
February 25, 2024
Meaningfully real.
A brilliant read especially if you love animals and have a few problems understanding human nature. I didn’t want this tale to end and would very much like an update book from Jeremy.
Undoubtedly I will read this again. There are less that a handful of books Iv read a second time and this is one.
I met him by accident on entering Monkey World last summer. It was a vision come true!
A brilliant read especially if you love animals and have a few problems understanding human nature. I didn’t want this tale to end and would very much like an update book from Jeremy.
Undoubtedly I will read this again. There are less that a handful of books Iv read a second time and this is one.
I met him by accident on entering Monkey World last summer. It was a vision come true!
September 4, 2017
An amazing read, full of humour and pathos and feeling and sorrow and love. Utterly moving in places, out and out hilarious in places, incredibly eye-opening - Jeremy Keeling pulls no punches, his love for Amy (and Jim Cronin too) shines through.
It'd be an honour to have a pint and a natter with this man, it really would.
It'd be an honour to have a pint and a natter with this man, it really would.
December 29, 2018
I read this in three hours which says it all.
Jeremy’s compassion for animals is evident throughout the book and although there is many heartbreaking moments in the book this is balanced out by his humorous tales of growing up, living and working with animals.
As an animal rescue worker myself this book appealed to me.
Jeremy’s compassion for animals is evident throughout the book and although there is many heartbreaking moments in the book this is balanced out by his humorous tales of growing up, living and working with animals.
As an animal rescue worker myself this book appealed to me.
August 18, 2019
All Creatures Great and Orange
I have recently become interested in orangutans so it was fascinating to find this book by a man who had lived up close and personal to them all his life. I learned so much. And the author is a fascinating man in other ways too. It’s not just about orangutans. It’s a very personal and thoughtful book. I highly recommend it.
I have recently become interested in orangutans so it was fascinating to find this book by a man who had lived up close and personal to them all his life. I learned so much. And the author is a fascinating man in other ways too. It’s not just about orangutans. It’s a very personal and thoughtful book. I highly recommend it.
January 16, 2020
Let's be honest unless you watch monkey life you're not really going to be interested in this book. However if you're an avid fan of the show and have followed it for years like I have you will love this book. Jeremy's story really does give an insight to his life and the humble beginnings of monkey world.
January 17, 2021
I have watched the Monkey World programmes for years about the Primate Rescue Centre and this is the story of the head of keeper who helped found the centre. The book really is honest and so interesting i really did not like to stop reading.
Monkey world is one of the most amazing and inspiration stories of people working to achieve against the odds.
Monkey world is one of the most amazing and inspiration stories of people working to achieve against the odds.
August 15, 2017
Wonderful
Wow, Jeremy has. certainly lived an eventful life. I can't imagine the pains he has gone through, yet kept his dignity. It's a truly fascinating read, I will recommend it to everyone I know.
Thank you Jeremy for sharing an insight, into your life
Wow, Jeremy has. certainly lived an eventful life. I can't imagine the pains he has gone through, yet kept his dignity. It's a truly fascinating read, I will recommend it to everyone I know.
Thank you Jeremy for sharing an insight, into your life
April 24, 2021
I really enjoyed this book, it was super interesting to read about the pet trade, rescues and partnerships that Jeremy and Monkey World have endured. It was also straight to the point and no flourishing around the stories which added to the grittiness.
May 30, 2025
Incredibly moving and enjoyable read, Jeremy's words are both honest and simple yet emotionally wonderful. A must read for anyone seeking comfort during hard times and the joy of animals who save us humans as much as we save them.
September 21, 2025
A fascinating and immensely enjoyable account of Jeremy-from-Monkey-World’s journey from his family zoo to the world-famous sanctuary where he is director. It’s also a story of friendships with animals of all kinds, human included. An extraordinary tale that I can’t recommend enough.
August 26, 2017
What a wonderful person
What a heart warming story as I have watch monkey world on tv I still watch a couple of episode s a day and feel I know all the animals
What a heart warming story as I have watch monkey world on tv I still watch a couple of episode s a day and feel I know all the animals
May 13, 2019
Saw this in the libriary and couldn't resist.
Jeremy started Monkey World in Dorset but had plenty of stories of primates and other animals before that.
A very interesting read. I loved it.
Jeremy started Monkey World in Dorset but had plenty of stories of primates and other animals before that.
A very interesting read. I loved it.
August 19, 2019
Excellent read
I have watched the TV series and was impressed. This is an excellent book, well written on the whole, although there are some tales I'd like to hear more about.
I have watched the TV series and was impressed. This is an excellent book, well written on the whole, although there are some tales I'd like to hear more about.
January 15, 2020
Fantastic
Thoroughly interesting and easy to read! Written in a way that makes you want to hear more about this remarkable mans life!
Thoroughly interesting and easy to read! Written in a way that makes you want to hear more about this remarkable mans life!
May 19, 2020
I enjoyed the book but not as good as I thought.
July 7, 2020
Great read
Gives an insight into how hard Jim and Jeremy worked to get monkey world to where it is now. Loved the book.
Gives an insight into how hard Jim and Jeremy worked to get monkey world to where it is now. Loved the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews