Isabel Duncan is a scientist working with the Bonobo apes at the Great Ape Language Lab in Kansas. When the lab is blown up in a deliberate explosion, Isabel is injured and the apes are ‘liberated’….right into the hands of a ruthless programme maker who is determined that the apes shall be the stars of a new reality tv show. Reporter John Thigpen was originally supposed to be writing a piece about the work at the lab, but after the explosion the story turns into something else entirely…
I read Sara Gruen’s debut novel, Water for Elephants, almost three years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it. So much so in fact that I thought her follow-up was almost certainly going to be a let-down, but I am happy to say that I was wrong. I was hooked on this book from page one. The main characters – Isabel, her friend and co-worker Celia, John, and his wife Amanda were all skilfully drawn and well developed, and I felt as though I really knew these people. More than that, the apes themselves were such distinctive characters too.
The writing flowed well, and moved the story along. I was eager throughout to find out what was going to happen next. I cannot comment on the accuracy of the description of the Bonobos and their ability to communicate with humans and each other; however Gruen has clearly done her homework in this regard (indeed, most of the conversations with the apes in this story are based on the real conversations of Bonobos.
Overall, this was a lovely book – part satire, part love story to the beauty of great apes, with plenty of comedic moments, and lots of drama. Highly recommended.
(Author’s website can be found here.)
Between the Pages 
NOVEL FOR REVIEW: A Soul’s Calling, 340 pp., Wanderlust Publishing House, ISBN 13-978-0-61569-535-8
Dear Ruth,
Sorry to approach you through your comments but I could find no email address to send this to. And, I know your time is limited and have to be very selective in the books you review, but I would count myself very lucky if you considered my book A Soul’s Calling for review on your website.
A Soul’s Calling is a memoir about a man who listened to his heart instead of reason. The book, a work of speculative non-fiction, is part travelogue, part hiking adventure, with shamanism and magic woven throughout.
A Soul’s Calling transports readers to Nepal’s rugged but enchanting Khumbu Valley where mountains speak and nature is imbued with a special kind of magic. The novel is an inspiring modern day adventure that weaves the timeless themes of living an authentic life, the consequences of power, and what a man would do for unrequited love.
Scott, a forty-something attorney, is average in every way except one. He has a connection to the Other Side. He speaks to Spirit and Spirit speaks to him. He sees, hears, and interacts with an invisible realm that is beyond ordinary human perception. When Scott learns his soul has been spiritually compromised he travels to the ancient kingdom of Nepal to win it back. Once there, he hikes the Himalaya carrying a mysterious bundle and a stick laden with prayers from Luminous Beings hoping to come face to face with the greatest mountain on earth: Mount Everest. As his journey unfolds, Scott is called on to battle his fear of heights, the thin air, and his physical limitations. Powerful, sweeping, and deeply moving, readers will search their hearts as the book draws to a stunning conclusion.
If this sounds appealing, I would be happy to provide you with a Kindle copy through Amazon. To read an excerpt from the book, please visit http://www.scott-bishop.com or you can view it using Amazon’s Look Inside feature here:
http://www.amazon.com/A-Souls-Calling-Scott-Bishop/dp/0615695353/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358172531&sr=8-1&keywords=a+soul%27s+calling
With every best wish,
Scott Bishop
Author
http://www.scott-bishop.com
info@scott-bishop.com
I’ve always been curious about this book! Nice to see its highly recommended! Great review!
Hi Shannon – thanks for your comment 🙂 I hope you enjoy the book if and when you read it!
Hi! Great review, you just made me want to read it even more than before. I really enjoyed all of Sara Gruen’s books I read (Riding lessons and Water for elephants). Flying changes is on my TBR shelf, Ape house definitely on my wishlist 😉
Hi – thanks for your comment 🙂 I loved Water For Elephants, and thought that maybe Ape House would not live up to it, but as you can tell, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Hope you do too. I’ve put Riding Lessons onto my wish list 🙂