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Unspoken: If we teach her to talk...can she trust us to listen?
A love unlike any other...a story of sacrifice and the unspoken connections that bring us together. For the last eight years, Glee Granger has centered her life around Sema--they live together, play together, eat together, and "talk" together. Though Sema isn't the first gorilla to use sign language, Glee has pushed their interaction to breakthrough levels. Technically, however, Sema isn't hers. She belongs to the zoo where she was born--and the zoo wants its gorilla back. Glee's only option for continuing her work is to join the zoo staff. At first reluctant, Glee begins to see real possibilites in their new arrangement...until the unthinkable happens. One event overturns everything Glee thought she knew about humans and animals, the seen and the unseen, the spoken...and the unspoken. She taught a gorilla to talk. Now can Glee learn to listen?
323 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2005
38 people are currently reading
467 people want to read
About the author
Angela Elwell Hunt
271 books1,965 followersChristy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected in novels from this versatile author. With nearly six million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 165 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to novels.
Now that her two children are grown, Angie and her husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Turner and Hooch and Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards--one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City.
Afterward, the dog gave out pawtographs at the airport.
Angela admits to being fascinated by animals, medicine, psychology, unexplained phenomena, and “just about everything” except sports. Books, she says, have always shaped her life— in the fifth grade she learned how to flirt from reading Gone with the Wind.
Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, and American Christian Fiction Writers bestowed the same award in 2019.
In 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree and completed her second doctorate in 2015. When she’s not home reading or writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course.
Now that her two children are grown, Angie and her husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Turner and Hooch and Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards--one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City.
Afterward, the dog gave out pawtographs at the airport.
Angela admits to being fascinated by animals, medicine, psychology, unexplained phenomena, and “just about everything” except sports. Books, she says, have always shaped her life— in the fifth grade she learned how to flirt from reading Gone with the Wind.
Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, and American Christian Fiction Writers bestowed the same award in 2019.
In 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree and completed her second doctorate in 2015. When she’s not home reading or writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
February 27, 2023
I finally read the book I have been wanting to read for so long! Although it did rip my heart out, throw it across the room and stomp it into the ground.
If you are triggered by injury and death of animals, skip this one. I balled my eyes out more than I ever have in any book.
Glee is a gorilla expert who has been looking after and training Sema the gorilla for eight years in sign language and comprehensive skills. Until one day the zoo calls and wants their gorilla back. Glee fights for her rights to keep Sema, and what follows is a battle between her own feelings, the zoo, her friends and God.
I did really enjoy the parts between our beautiful gorilla girl and keeper, the sign language between the two made laugh and giggle, and also sob. The faith content I loved because God used a gorilla to show a girl who God was and His love and creation.
The only reason this book did not get 5 stars, was I found the main character to be a little annoying at times, when it came towards her feelings for the zoo and the people who were trying to be her friends. But she did have some redeeming qualities by the end.
If you are triggered by injury and death of animals, skip this one. I balled my eyes out more than I ever have in any book.
Glee is a gorilla expert who has been looking after and training Sema the gorilla for eight years in sign language and comprehensive skills. Until one day the zoo calls and wants their gorilla back. Glee fights for her rights to keep Sema, and what follows is a battle between her own feelings, the zoo, her friends and God.
I did really enjoy the parts between our beautiful gorilla girl and keeper, the sign language between the two made laugh and giggle, and also sob. The faith content I loved because God used a gorilla to show a girl who God was and His love and creation.
The only reason this book did not get 5 stars, was I found the main character to be a little annoying at times, when it came towards her feelings for the zoo and the people who were trying to be her friends. But she did have some redeeming qualities by the end.
September 10, 2013
In Unspoken you’ll meet my girl Sema, one of the most unforgettable characters I’ve ever encountered. She will touch your heart and expand the horizons of your mind. As for Angie Hunt...well, she’s a stinky nut. To appreciate that complement, you’ll have to read this captivating book!
January 26, 2020
The gorilla is soooo cute!
May 20, 2008
This is one of my favorite books of Christian fiction. It's not seamless - the author leaves some holes and the plot takes leaps which seem unrealistic. But the subject - what might happen if a gorilla learns to communicate well enough to acknowledge its creator - is fascinating.
February 14, 2008
Let all creation tell of His wondrous works!Love Angela Hunt... This is one of her best!
March 5, 2017
Call me a curmudgeon, but I have never been too big on animals. Even the household pets we've had over the years regularly drove me crazy. I'm not sure why I picked this up, but it had been sitting on my shelf for a while, and I decided to read it today...and didn't care for it. Animal lovers will likely have a blast with it, but, I didn't.
September 11, 2014
Excellent book about a woman raising a gorilla, must return her to the zoo. Food for thought about God and animals.
September 2, 2012
This is probably one of my favorite books and definitely my favorite by this author. The story line was incredibly interesting to me.
October 15, 2012
I didn't like Glee at the start of the book and her almost fanatical attitude about gorillas. I also didn't realize this was a Christian fiction, which is not my favorite genre. I prefer to read suspense or YA fiction or when I'm in the mood, religious non-fiction books, rather than Christian fiction.
I did like Glee's devotion to Sema, her gorilla, who she teaches to sign. I liked the conversations that they had and Sema's sense of humor.
The acclimation of Sema went much too smoothly, but I liked the interactions with the other gorillas and their individual personalities.
Matthews, the Zoo Director was much more concerned with the financial side of the zoo rather than the animals best interests, which is necessary, but I found it difficult to believe a non-animal lover would run a zoo. Brad Fielding seemed like the perfect blend of animal lover and administrator and he was my favorite character.
Nana was sweet, but I did get tired of her preaching to Glee. I loved her patience and her belief in the power of prayer.
I did like Glee's devotion to Sema, her gorilla, who she teaches to sign. I liked the conversations that they had and Sema's sense of humor.
The acclimation of Sema went much too smoothly, but I liked the interactions with the other gorillas and their individual personalities.
Matthews, the Zoo Director was much more concerned with the financial side of the zoo rather than the animals best interests, which is necessary, but I found it difficult to believe a non-animal lover would run a zoo. Brad Fielding seemed like the perfect blend of animal lover and administrator and he was my favorite character.
Nana was sweet, but I did get tired of her preaching to Glee. I loved her patience and her belief in the power of prayer.
September 8, 2012
I happened onto this book by chance, while on vacation, but having read others by this author, I picked it up. The story of a primate researcher who teaches a gorilla to talk - and then has to deal with the consequences of her success, this book has much deeper themes. Such as: do animals have souls? Can they truly love? What's our responsibility as stewards of the animal kingdom? This author does NOT preach - nevertheless, she gets her message across most effectively.
It is a truly beautiful book, well-written, skillfully-structured, and deeply researched as usual, with fascinating information about non-human primates. I did not want it to end.
It is a truly beautiful book, well-written, skillfully-structured, and deeply researched as usual, with fascinating information about non-human primates. I did not want it to end.
October 26, 2017
I enjoyed this book the writing was good. I didn’t like the ending. Won’t tell you, have to read for yourself. The zoo keeper was a jerk, typical business man and just cares about the almighty dollar. It’s worth a read if you are looking for something different from a fantasy or mystery or other genre. The author is local to Tampa and I have another book of hers too. The Note. May read that in the future
April 9, 2020
I loved the gorilla in the story, Sema but Glee, the main character was very unlikable. She was very haughty and rude and really frustrated me. I also found too many similarities between Sema and Koko, the real life gorilla who knew sign language. The author stated in the end of the book that she was inspired by Koko to write the story but it seemed too similar. The story was also a bit far fetched in some ways. Just not my favorite.
August 16, 2009
Another good book by Angela Hunt. A female gorilla named Sema learns sign language but teaches everyone else a valuble lesson instead. Glee who has trained Sema learns the true meaning of caring for someone else, letting go, and finding her way back to God and believing in faith. A heartwarming novel.
May 31, 2020
Unspoken by Angela Hunt
I couldn’t put this book down! And, I didn’t want it to end! Hunt always educates her readers and inspires them to know more on her chosen subject. This time readers learn about a talking gorilla! Fascinating! Her heroine contends with ethical treatment for animals and wrestles with the creator’s love for his entire creation. I loved this story!
I couldn’t put this book down! And, I didn’t want it to end! Hunt always educates her readers and inspires them to know more on her chosen subject. This time readers learn about a talking gorilla! Fascinating! Her heroine contends with ethical treatment for animals and wrestles with the creator’s love for his entire creation. I loved this story!
January 23, 2021
Heartwarming
I needed an upbeat story and this did not disappoint. Sema's playful and loving nature provided a great escape for me. If you love the animal kingdom, believe in God's sovereignty and like a hint of romance, this is a great read. It will put a smile on your face.
I needed an upbeat story and this did not disappoint. Sema's playful and loving nature provided a great escape for me. If you love the animal kingdom, believe in God's sovereignty and like a hint of romance, this is a great read. It will put a smile on your face.
February 23, 2014
Okay. I finished this book in a hotel room. My husband just walked into our room when I read the last page. I was sobbing out loud. It is perhaps one of the most creative story lines I have ever read. Beautiful is too small a word. If there were ten stars I'd give it twenty.
December 27, 2017
This book took me about 2 months to read but I’m happy I finished it. Nicely written and an easy one to follow. Beautiful bond between a parent and child, from friend to friend and that binds go further than blood. This is a book for everyone.
December 27, 2018
One of the best fiction books I read! It's easy to fall in love with the characters, and you wouldn't want the story to end!
June 13, 2021
What a wonderful book! The story of Glee and her beloved Sema will warm your heart and will have you asking yourself so many questions. Loved this one!
August 6, 2023
Really enjoyed this book! I want to read more books by Angela Hunt. But she sure did shred my heart with this one!
September 14, 2023
LOVED this one. Mrs. Hunts books are amazing and deep.
April 9, 2024
I went through so many emotions!
May 13, 2023
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Unspoken
Angela Elwell Hunt
4.01
647 ratings68 reviews
A love unlike any other...a story of sacrifice and the unspoken connections that bring us together.
A love unlike any other...a story of sacrifice and the unspoken connections that bring us together.
For the last eight years, Glee Granger has centered her life around Sema--they live together, play together, eat together, and "talk" together. Though Sema isn't the first gorilla to use sign language, Glee has pushed their interaction to breakthrough levels. Technically, however, Sema isn't hers. She belongs to the zoo where she was born--and the zoo wants its gorilla back. Glee's only option for continuing her work is to join the zoo staff. At first reluctant, Glee begins to see real possibilites in their new arrangement...until the unthinkable happens. One event overturns everything Glee thought she knew about humans and animals, the seen and the unseen, the spoken...and the unspoken.
October 31, 2017
Actually 4.5 stars if I could give that rating, I enjoyed this very unique book. Angela Elwell Hunt always writes books that have an exceptional, unusual plot. The author had me very involved in the lives of Glee and the gorilla she raised from birth, Sema. Not everyone agrees with her vision for Sema, and that causes many problems for Glee. The ending is surprising, but satisfying. Animal lovers will adore this novel, as well as those who love to read about unusual paths to a living faith.
April 26, 2019
Unspoken is one of my favorite Angela Hunt books and Sema will always have a special place in my heart. Can you have a spunky lowland gorilla as a main character? Absolutely you can! This book went from very interesting to touching to captivating to unbelievable, and it will really make you question, “Do animals see and communicate with the spirit world?” Loved it!
June 11, 2020
There were parts of this book that I really appreciated, but when it came to giving religion to a gorilla, she lost me a little bit, especially because it came about with giving the gorilla the words to express it. Although, on the other hand, if that is what it takes for us to see animals as having awareness, then I support the attempt made in this book.
September 2, 2025
Heartwarming story I will never forget
I loved the incredible love story between the main character and
her amazing communication
with the baby gorilla she
was teaching sign language.
I loved the incredible love story between the main character and
her amazing communication
with the baby gorilla she
was teaching sign language.
Read
July 8, 2019If Jane Goodall met Balaam’s donkey, the story might play out something like this.
April 11, 2022
Interesting storyline and thoughts on if animals can comprehend who God is
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews