Friday, March 18, 2011

Celebrating The Paperback Release of Ape House (Review + Giveaway)

I was lucky enough to read Ape House, the most recent novel by Sara Gruen (author of Water for Elephants) when it was first released in hardback last September. It was a wonderful experience that I loved even more than Water for Elephants. With the trade paperback release published by Random House Canada occurring on April 5th, I have the opportunity to share two brand new copies with two lucky Canadian readers.
Here's my review of the novel from when it was first published:
Ape House is Sara Gruen's fourth novel, and her follow up to the massive success Water for Elephants which I read in August. In Ape House a university language research lab which focuses on communicating with six Bonobo apes who can understand English and speak using American Sign Language is bombed. Researcher Isabel is in the lab when eco-terrorists bomb it and as a result Isabel is gravely injured and the university sells the apes who latter turn up on a reality TV show called Ape House. The same day as the bombing, John a journalist from the Philadelphia inquirer was visiting to interview about the research going on. He quickly becomes interested in the subsequent events only to have the story stolen from him by a colleague- a fact which doesn't stop John from pursuing the truth. As sidelines to the ape story, Gruen also tells the story of John and his writer wife as well as Isabel's relationship with her boss. However what really connects both main characters is the fact that although they may have different motives both Isabel and John are determined to find out who is responsible for the bombing and how to get the apes back- whatever it takes.

Despite enjoying Water for Elephants, somehow I still was surprised by how much I loved Ape House. This probably stemmed from the fact that the two novels are extremely different. By really focusing on the apes Gruen tells a tender and realistic story which may not result in many literary accolades, it is not quite as dense or vivid as Water for Elephants, but certainly is a worthwhile read. The plot basis for Ape House was extremely different than Water for Elephants- I definitely didn't expect a criminal storyline, but it is something Gruen handles with remarkable ease. The characters sometimes veer towards caricatures (though not nearly as much as they did in Water for Elephants) especially John's wife who is a female trying to fit into Hollywood through use of botox and going blonde. The strongest characters in Ape House are definitely the apes- each of whom have distinct and adorable personalities. Gruen was able to visit the Great Ape Trust who inspired the research lab in the novel, and her ability to incorporate true stories and details like she once did with circus life, are what make the book truly unique and interesting.

Overall, I enjoyed the majority of the book better than Water for Elephants, but the ending wrapped up a little too well making it slightly unrealistic and my least favourite portion of the novel. The final pages also began to veer on educational and preachy in comparison to the rest of the book. However Ape House is definitely a book with mass appeal- it has something in it for animal lovers, for people who enjoy a mystery, and even a little relationship drama. But most importantly Ape House leaves the the reader with the feeling that not only are the Bonobos Isabel's family, by the end of the book they feel like your family too.
And now your opportunity to win your own copy of the novel:

In order to enter to win a copy of Ape House you must be a follower and leave a comment letting me know if there has ever been an animal in your life you considered family like Isabel treats the apes. Make sure to include your e-mail address so I can contact you if you win, after which you will have 48 hours to claim the prize. You can spread the word for a second entry, just make sure to leave a separate comment with a link. This giveaway will run until April 5th 2011 at 11:59 MST and is open to Canada, no PO boxes. Remember there will be TWO winners. Enjoy!

26 comments:

  1. Yes, I had a bird that I considered family. It was so smart,
    It was a beautiful yellow and green parakeet. It could do all sorts of somersaults and had a very large vocabulary.When it died,
    I was so upset that I disposed of the cage and vowed never again to have another parakeet, after all, I had the best one ever.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  2. I have yet to have such an important animal in my life. I'm scared to commit to one because it hurts so much when they're gone.

    tiredwkids at live dot com

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  3. I follow your blog via gfc. I have a little 5 lb shitzu chihuahua mix that IS family. I have been accused of liking animals better than I do people.
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

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  4. My cat is absolutely like family to me! I hate that she is aging so much faster than I am!
    shortcut_2_mushrooms@yahoo.co.nz

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  5. I liked this story as much as I liked Water for Elephants-and elephants are my favourite animals. Everyone should read this book, so much of it is based on fact too. Don't enter me, I just wanted to say that I agree with your review.

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  6. I get attached to things very easily...I once got attached to my peas and was unable to eat them...but that's another story. I had a dog from age 11-17, he was the sweetest, most protective dog I've ever know. He actually sat there and listened to us when we needed him too. He always waited for us to get home from school and we could hear him whine while on the bus to school. He was sweet :)

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  7. Sorry, I forgot my email address
    kawaiiswapper(at)gmail(dot)com

    Thanks!

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  8. Great giveaway! I've never had a pet and am fascinated by people's love for animals. Happy day Zoe!
    faizazarinkanji(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. I used to have a rabbit that I loved dearly like family. I was devastated when it passed away.
    girl23rocks at hotmail dot com

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  10. I tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/Alliegal101/status/49264157354242049
    girl23rocks at hotmail dot com

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  11. I have a special animal, a beautiful Husky who does Prt Therapy.

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  12. We always had a dog growing up, and it was always a part of the family.

    helpersarah2009@gmail.com

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  13. OMG! How did I not know this existed!? Cannot wait for this! I loved "Water for Elephants"! I bought it on a whim - it had a circus, the depression and a great cover. I decided to just grab it. And I am so glad I did! I absolutely loved it and cannot wait for the movie, too!

    As to this contest - the animal ... well, Benjamin Bradley, my white haired green eyed pink eared kitty cat - he is a part of the family. He controls the rest of us like the master kitty he is! Benjamin is the brother I never had! I think animals are precious to us, and I think this book - and Rosie the elephant in "Water for Elephants" - taps into that.

    Thanks for the opportunity to win this! apereiraorama[at]gmail[dot]com

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  14. i'm a follower-heatheranya
    i can't say that i've ever had an animal in my life that i've considered family but i'd still love to read this! water for elephants was wonderful :)
    heatheranya at hotmail dot com

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  15. As much as i love pets i have not been able to commit to getting one. However i love Gruen's work and I'm looking forward to seeing Water for Elephants when it comes out.

    bookventuresbook AT gmail DOT com

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  16. i follow via GFC

    Bookventuresbookclub AT gmail DOT com

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  17. I'm DYING to read this book...and yes, I have/had a dog...Annabelle. My husband and I are going through a divorce and I lost her in the divorce/my move....I might as well have lost a child. I LOVE THAT DOG!!!! =(

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  18. I am a follower, and we consider our cat as part of the family. Our oldest son has Asperger's and when we went to the shelter to adopt a cat, he instantly bonded with one. She has been his cat ever since we brought her home, and while she will tolerate the rest of us, she prefers to be around him, LOL:)

    kpuleski at gmail dot com

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  19. For once in my life... I'm bummed I don't live in Canada. BOO. But I think ALL of my pets have been special to me in different ways. I haven't had very many, but still.. they've made lasting memories for me. :)

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  20. We had a dog growing up that was the "third child" in the family. He did everything with us and was part of our family for 13 years.

    swaggirl01 at gmail dot com

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  21. I'm actually not an animal person. But--and this might sound corny/weird/everything in between--I have stuffed ladybug, Layla, that I carry with me everywhere because my mom's nickname for me is ladybug and she gave it to me years ago.

    reflectionsofabookaholic[at]gmail[dot]com

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  22. I follow via GFC. I had two cats that I loved dearly!

    pumpkin10031971(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  23. The first hamster I had was considered family. I loved him very much. But I quickly learned that hamsters live short lives ):
    ejhtan at gmail dot com

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  24. tweet:
    http://twitter.com/#!/tearyeyedstars/status/54777793405394944
    ejhtan at gmail dot com

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  25. I don't think I've ever had a pet that I didn't consider to be a member of the family. We currently don't have a pet because the loss of our last one was just too hard on us.

    dftrew(at)gmail(dot)com

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  26. It may sound silly but when I was pregnant with twins, we had a black, buggy eyed fish that we kept in a small tank in the main level of our home. As it was a high risk pregnancy and I was therefore made to remain home a great deal, I found myself talking to this little fish each time I passed the tank. Surprisingly, he had a fairly long life (for a fish) and it was a sad day when he passed.

    dkcameron@rogers.com

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