Ape House by Sara Gruen

Synopsis :

Sam, Bonzi, Lola, Mbongo, Jelani, and Makena are no ordinary apes. These bonobos, like others of their species, are capable of reason and carrying on deep relationships - but unlike most bonobos, they also know American Sign Language.

Isabel Duncan, a scientist at the Great Ape Language Lab, doesn’t understand people, but animals she gets - especially the bonobos. Isabel feels more comfortable in their world than she’s ever felt among humans... until she meets John Thigpen, a very married reporter who braves the ever-present animal rights protesters outside the lab to see what’s really going on inside.

When an explosion rocks the lab, severely injuring Isabel and “liberating” the apes, John’s human interest piece turns into the story of a lifetime, one he’ll risk his career and his marriage to follow. Then a reality TV show featuring the missing apes debuts under mysterious circumstances, and it immediately becomes the biggest - and unlikeliest - phenomenon in the history of modern media. Millions of fans are glued to their screens watching the apes order greasy take-out, have generous amounts of sex, and sign for Isabel to come get them. Now, to save her family of apes from this parody of human life, Isabel must connect with her own kind, including John; a green-haired vegan; and a retired porn star with her own agenda.

I was initially rather confused and rather uncertain on what I would expect from this title.  However, I love the cover of the book and the feel of it and against all instinct, I decided to gave Ape House a try.

It wasn't a bad book.  Not difficult to read at all. Rather entertaining at times but rather annoying at times too.

It's a strange experience reading a book on ape and I am still feeling pretty undecided if I actually enjoy it.  I must have cos I read it cover to cover and it took me less than a week so at least the captivating power in there.

Isabel Duncan is character you can grow quite fond of. I grew quite fond of her.  John Thigpen is another character that I quite like too but to be honest, I was actually rather sorry for him.  Perhaps it was that sympathy towards him and Isabel and all that they lost within a short time and their determination to pick themselves up that made me cheer them on.

Ya, I have decided after writing that last sentence that I rather like Ape House.