Isabel Duncan, a scientist at the Great Ape Language Lab, doesn't understand people, but apes she gets—especially the bonobos Sam, Bonzi, Lola, Mbongo, Jelani, and Makena, who are capable of reason and communication through American Sign Language. Isabel feels more comfortable in their world than she's ever felt among humans—until she meets John Thigpen, a very married reporter writing a human interest feature. But when an explosion rocks the lab, John's piece turns into the story of a lifetime—and Isabel must connect with her own kind to save her family of apes from a new form of human exploitation.
Sara Gruen certainly did her research for this book. The stars of the story are definitely the bonobos. Having said that, it was hard to figure out what this book was trying to be. Is it an exploration of a marriage? A study of friendship? An examination of what and who parents? I suppose it's a good thing that I put the book down and had lots of questions.
It's an engrossing book. I wasn't sure if I would like it. But I liked it. A lot.
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