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Comments (31)

What did you think about this title?
1 to 25 of 31 items
Feb 11, 2019Alma_Anya rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Isabel Duncan, a scientist at the Great Ape Language Lab and John Thigpen, a reporter with a stroke of bad luck in search for a breaking story; One independent from the other but when a disastrous incident threatens the wellbeing of the…
Jan 07, 2017Spirit_of_Che rated this title 1 out of 5 stars
Despite all of the accolades, I was surprised at the quality of this book from the author of water for elephants. I read the elephant book and enjoyed it greatly. This book reads like a written for TV movie with all of the obligatory,…
Jan 19, 2016chedberg rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I just picked this off the shelf and had not read Gruen before. I read it in less than 24 hours because I could not put it down except to sleep. I learned so much, too, that I hadn't known but should. Fabulous. I will now read everything…
Jun 04, 2015Memawrayne rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Very interesting to learn about apes and their communication abilities. A fast paced story that held my interest. It was more about the characters than the apes, but they were a side story that held it together.
Dec 22, 2014Chapel_Hill_KenMc rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
This is a somewhat disappointing sophomore novel, following Gruen's truly marvelous "Water for Elephants." The plot fails with some jarringly unbelievable contentions, but scores points for developing an awareness of the potential of…
Oct 31, 2014sillymelinda rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This was an excellent book, as far as I read, which was about half-way through the book. Then I began to get nervous about what was going to happen to the Bonobos, and what the outcome would be for all of them. I was attached to the…
Sep 10, 2014WVMLStaffPicks rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Working in the field of human-animal communication, Isabel Duncan, a research scientist at the Great Ape Language Lab, develops a close relationship with her study group of bonobo apes. An explosion wrecks the research lab, causing her…
Jun 19, 2014lbarkema rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I wish I could say this book was great, and I had kind-of high hopes because of the unique plot but unfortunately that wasn't enough to save it for me and make me really like it. The transitions between scenes were not done well at all and…
Jun 09, 2013druby rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I was reluctant to read this book even though it came highly recommended; the story just did not sound appealing at all. Also, I was not a fan of the author's other book "Water For Elephants" Well, turns out Ape House is a very good book…
Jul 27, 2012zaire189 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
AMAZING NOVEL! I admit I was a bit hesitant to read it at first but I absolutely loved the book! JUSTICE was definitely SERVED! It was very touching to read about Isabel's undying devotion, love and care to the bonobos. It pained me to…
Jun 08, 2012sayadeh rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I didn't know what to expect from this novel, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was plot-driven and entertaining. The author's description of Amanda's struggle to find success as a writer on her own terms made me wonder whether she was…
Mar 15, 2012crayment rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Almost as good as Water for Elephants, but the bonobos are wonderful.
Jan 24, 2012Amille05 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Great light read! Read it in a couple of days and found myself excited to go home to read it!
Dec 22, 2011GLNovak rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I enjoyed this story very much. The relationship between John the reporter and his wife Amanda is refreshing. They are close and through all the mayhem in their lives they remain close. The bonobos are presented with genuine characters…
Dec 07, 2011azor rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Very different from Water for Elephants. Interesting idea but the story is not as captivating. i was very intrigued with the apes. However, it is not from their perspective as I was led to believe.Still worth reading.
Dec 05, 2011
As in Water for Elephants, Gruen's love for animals shines through in this rollicking ride. This novel is much more fun than "water". Ostensibly a story about great apes in a language acquisition study it's really a satire of everything…
mariekirby
Oct 03, 2011mariekirby rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Very good story. Fascinating topic with well researched background information. Also a well paced, interesting plot.
Sep 11, 2011Jan rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I quite enjoyed this book. It was quick, engaging reading. Not too much depth to the plot, and not a whole lot of extraneous words, but sometimes I just want to read something where I don't have to think too much! The good guys are good…
Junebug84
Aug 04, 2011Junebug84 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I have read books by Sara Gruen before and I always liked them, but this novel was a little different from the others even though her novels maintain the common animal theme. I felt that I learned a lot more while reading this novel. Even…
InfraredKate
Jul 17, 2011InfraredKate rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Great book...was captivating in how the main character related to the apes and the story was hard to put down..
MerlinsMum
May 24, 2011MerlinsMum rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Read in one day and enjoyed it more than "Water for elephants" but do have an affinity for primatology. Very highly recommend.
Mar 04, 2011grounds2share rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
Be warned that there are some graphic descriptions in this book of experimentation on animals. It's quite stomach turning. I loved Water for Elephants but I have to admit I did not finish Ape House.
Jan 29, 2011adeecee rated this title 1 out of 5 stars
Terrible book. Poorly written with a flimsy almost non-existant storyline and a saccharine ending. The characters are one-dimensional, stereo-typical and laughable: younger women are weepy, neurotic and feel entitled to endless streams of…
Jan 14, 2011quasme rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
starts off well--finish is average and more comedic
Jan 10, 2011smc01 rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
Having loved Water for Elephants, I eagerly anticipated reading Ape House. I was disappointed. The story line is trivial and hard to believe and some of the characters are immature. I think she could have done so much more with the…