Waterfall Dance

by Andrew Quinn

Renowned English primatologist Emily Bennett carries purpose in the palm of her hand, whereas pretty boy defense lawyer Will Thomas drags it like a scrap of toilet paper stuck to his shoe. The chimpanzee communication project known as Simian Says, founded by Emily, has taught sign language to generations of chimps. Now, by adopting ASL recognition and speech synthesis technology designed for communication-impaired humans, her project has given voice to a particularly charismatic chimp named Sparks. When Emily is arrested for the rescue of three experimental chimps from a Seattle lab, the stage is set for her prize pupil to testify.

Will the aimless young lawyer's attraction to his ambitious client drive him to win her case or interfere with her scheme? In the most sensational trial of the twenty-first century comes the most anticipated witness in courtroom history.

The prospect of meaningful communication with a great ape is just around the corner—not the ambiguous interpretation of body language and gestures, but plain English. What will they say? What would you ask? What does it change?

Available in paperback or digital at Amazon and other online booksellers.

Genres: Fiction, Animals

254 pages, Paperback

First published October 7, 2010

About the author

While most small children dream of becoming an astronaut or ballerina, I had it in my head that I would someday write. I don't know how a ten-year-old boy gets it in his head that he wants to write, but there it was and there it remained for twenty-five years.

As a young man I left the comfort of my Minnesota roots in search of solace in the Northwest, residing twice in Montana and living for nearly a decade in a remote cabin in Oregon. I traveled extensively throughout the American west, met a wild and wooly cast of characters, and experienced more than my fair share of both hardship and joy. Alcoholism counselor, carpenter, and ranch hand are but a few of the many occupations I’ve employed in an adventurous life.

So enamored was I with the journey, I almost forgot my childhood dream to write about it—almost. At thirty-five, while on the road in a twenty-one foot trailer, the dream reemerged and I have been writing ever since. Home now in Minnesota, my literary focus is on stories that stir—slightly gritty, a bit too ambitious, always meaningful.

Reviews

[Donna]

Every once in awhile, I come across an extremely powerful book that actually transforms me - and “Waterfall Dance” by Andrew Quinn is just such a book. Both the cover art and the summary given on “Waterfall Dance” intrigued me from the very moment I lay eyes upon it. I was so excited to finally get to read this book, and I admit, Andrew Quinn’s novel did not disappoint me in the least.

With unexpected, and delightful, twists and turns, “Waterfall Dance” tells the story of a criminal court case that quickly grabs media attention and astounds the world. During the trial of Emily, an animal activist, her lawyer, Will, manages to obtain a first in legal courts - allowing an ape to testify! Sparks, the ape, is an absolutely fabulous character, and through a rather unique invention Sparks is able to express his thoughts in human language- and does so in a court of law.

Throughout this novel, one discovers moments you hadn’t expected, and characters to delight you. Once I read the first page - I was hooked!!! I laughed, I cried and read with fixed attention.

“Waterfall Dance” is without doubt, one of the BEST books I have ever read. Andrew Quinn’s book is full of compassion and touched me deeply. Never again will I pick up a cosmetic, without first considering how it came to be. Never again will I just ‘see’ an animal, but will forever wonder about the deeper level of their existence. Do they feel as we do? After all, we already know the compassion of elephants to a fallen loved one. Can the other species really be so different?

Bravo, Andrew Quinn, “Waterfall Dance” is a fabulous read - and one I will be sure to rant about to everyone I know!!!

I received this book for free from Goodreads, 1st Reads to review. I am a member of goodreads, librarything, book divas, black velvet seductions and the penguin book club.
DBettenson

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

WATERFALL DANCE ANDREW QUINN
When you start this book, be prepared to be drawn into a very gripping, thought provoking story.
Will Thomas, a young attorney who has opened his own practice, is approached by renowned English primatologist Emily Bennett to handle her case. Ms Bennett has been accused of kidnapping three chimpanzees from SpecuMed which is a pharmaceutical research lab. The lab was using the chimps in testing a new drug to help blind people use other areas of the brain to develop other sensory areas; to do this, they have sewn the eyes of the chimps shut.
Through the case, Will learn of the chimpanzee communication project known as Simian Says founded by Emily; it has taught sign language to generations of chimps and, now, by using ASL recognition and speech synthisis technology, a charismatic chimp named Sparks has been given a voice.
The case becomes the trial of the century when Sparks testifies and shows the almost human connection between chimps and humans.
Andrew Quinn combines law, study of primates, and technology and weaves a hard hitting tale of animal rights and the question of how do we justify using animals in research. His characters and descriptions keep the story very entertaining.
Waterfall Dance would make a very thoughtful movie.
i did receive Waterfall Dance through Goodreads Firstread giveaway.

[Mark Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written, intelligent, gripping in parts and quite emotional in others. The book opens with an almost Mike Hammer style of describing the main character's law firm and his participation in an online gaming alter-ego as a private detective. His good-natured banter with his legal assistant, his ex-lover and his prospective clients was quite funny, but also effective at telling us this character is working hard at keeping up a sense of ironic detachment and emotional distance. But then along came the case that broke apart his barriers.

First he falls for his client, then for her chimps, as he takes an unwinnable case and then becomes caught up in the whole thing. The book does an excellent job of portraying the argument for animal sentience and against animal testing and use by humans. The legalese is clear and explained where necessary and the courtroom segments were great. We really come to know the main characters well and even the "villains" in the piece are human and not just all hated, all the time.

Not specifically an animal rights book, nor exclusively a courtroom drama or romantic comedy, this novel is able to blend all these elements in a really great read that keeps you turning pages.

[Todd Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt it was a bit thin and adolescent in its first few pages. The boyish, fraternal references to the attractiveness and beauty of the female characters was a little irksome. But only briefly. Soon I became aware that I was growing familiar and quite fond of the personality and disposition of our main man, and soon the entire cast of characters. Most certainly including Sparks. The subject and heart of this author's work became like a modest, yet resilient and dependable campfire that offered light and warmth until the final pages at which time humanity and sensitivity rose like morning sunlight. I recommend it to young and old alike.

[Styles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I presume you know what the book is about. I'm letting you know what I liked or disliked about it.

Wow! I truly enjoyed reading this book. The story, the tone, the characters were all, well - great!

It took me a bit to get my head into the story but this happens to me sometimes when I shift genre's. About a third of the way through I was hooked and I agree with most that it ended too soon. And that of course is the sign of a truly great book.

I recommend this book wholeheartedly.

Excellent first release. Mr. Quinn, please keep writing. I enjoy reading the words you write.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever wonder what exactly separates "us" from "them"?

This novel, set in the not-so-distant future, is about a trial that awakens our collective consciousness about the ethics of biomedical experimentation on chimpanzees. Although there's an element of fantasy in the telling, it would be hard to dismiss Quinn's vision altogether in light of NIH's recent announcement that it is retiring most of its research chimps and the Nonhuman Rights Project's plan to bring a habeas corpus suit on behalf of a captive chimp.

I ended up loving this book, but I will admit that my disconnect with the first chapter or two was so severe that I very nearly put it down for good. Am I glad I didn't!

[Cookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I began this First Reads book, it was a little slow...in retrospect I think that's because my life was completely nuts as I was reading it.
I loved the concept of the book once I got into it (took awhile, about one-third of it read) and was disappointed that it ended so soon.
It's one of those stories where I want there to be another book - I didn't want the story to end.

[Landy]

Thank you Goodreads First Reads for this free copy to read. Waiting to recieve it.