Carpe Librum Book Club discussion

Our book for April is Endangered by Eliot Schrefer. The discussion will take place here at the end of the month.

I know this discussion is late, but I've been so busy with school and other stuff that I haven't had time to write anything yet...

I really, really enjoyed this book. This was probably the best book I've read recently! I had never heard of this book before, but I am so glad that I was introduced to it. I fell in love with the bonobos from the first page. Apes and gorillas have always been my favorite animals and I always love reading and learning about them.

Not only was this book entertaining to read but it was also very thought-provoking as well. The question of whether Sophie was making the right choice of saving Otto when so many other humans were in danger was fascinating. I think that these creatures are so similar to humans that she was making the right decision in keeping him alive. I also thought the war aspect of the book to be very intriguing. Of course I had heard of the many conflicts that have taken place, and are still taking place, in Africa, but I never really thought about it as much as I did while reading this book. I actually thought this conflict was based on real events, until I read the Author's note... that's how well written it was!!

Here are some questions we can talk about if anyone wants to:

What did you think of Sophie's and Otto's relationship?
Favorite and least favorite parts of the book?
What did you think of the setting? the war?
Did anything surprise you?

I was apprehensive about starting this book because as soon as I saw the title and the picture of the bonobo I figured I was going to be bawling the entire time. Surprisingly I kept it together, maybe one tear at the end haha. I enjoyed this book and although it only scratched the surface of what is happening in Africa, the author still brought up a lot of key issues going on in Africa (AIDS, civil war, witch hunt/superstition, maltreatment of women and animals), which I was glad about because I did not want the story to dilute the conditions in Africa to appease a younger audience. I was enamored with Sophie and Otto. I loved their relationship, as well as seeing Sophie start to mimick bonobo behaviour (i.e. running on all fours & trying to build the tree hammock), and the conflict Sophie experienced with protecting Otto versus protecting humans, which gave complexity and humanity to her character. I also found her strength and perseverance for her and Otto's survival really admirable. It was definitely a thought-provoking book and got me thinking about endangered species and the extent of our responsibility to ensure their survival.

I learned about bonobos through an evolution course and I love using them as an example of a non-violent, matriarchal group. So it definitely surprised me when Eliot Schrefer portrayed the Pink Ladies as vengeful.

The book also made me really want to visit the zoo or a bonobo sanctuary! Who wouldn't love their own Otto.