Book Review: Ape House (Chapters 13 - 25)

This week at Book Beginnings and Bookends, we are answering questions from chapters 13 – 25 of Ape House.

Source

This book is getting really good. I had heard mixed reviews about this book, and too many people were comparing it to Gruen’s first book Water for Elephants, so I didn’t have huge expectations for this book, but I have been pleasantly surprised that it is so good!

So during these chapters, we find out the Apes were actually purchased by this guy who is big in the porn industry. He basically is using them for a reality show called “Ape House” which is broadcast over the Internet and via satellite tv. The apes are recorded 24 hours a day, and you see them doing whatever they want to do. They can order food and other items via a computer, and they pretty much have the freedom to do whatever they want to do, they are just confined to this house like structure.

At first you think they have it pretty good, they can get whatever food they want, and they have a pretty big space to hang out in, and at least they are not in cages. But you quickly see that they are not getting the care they need. They aren’t eating nutritious foods because the apes are just ordering whatever they want (and like kids, they want fast food and candy). Their house is also getting really dirty and is not being cleaned, so there are some sanitary concerns.

Isabel has obviously figured out where they are now, and she is doing whatever she can to try and get them out of there. And John, after quitting his job and moving to LA to be with his wife, has landed a job at a tabloid magazine, and is now being sent off to cover the ape story from a reality perspective. Isabel and John haven’t met up yet, but you can see that they are going to end up running into each other, and I am sure they will work together to try and free the apes.

1. Would you watch or be tempted to watch a show like Ape House?

I might watch it at first to see what the buzz is all about, but I am not going to pay a subscription to watch something like this. At first I thought the apes had it pretty good, but I am now seeing that these tv executives do not have their best interest at heart and that these apes, although they think they have it good, aren’t really getting taken care of like they should. It reminds me of putting a bunch of kids in a house without parents and letting them go wild.

2. Do you think John did the right thing by quitting his job and moving to L.A.?

Yes, I think he did the right thing by being with his wife and letting her pursue her dreams for once. He wasn’t getting the respect at his job back in Philly, so it was probably the best thing. I think he did it more out of jealousy though, so maybe the intentions weren’t the best, but I am glad they are together (for a while at least).

3. We haven't seen a whole lot of Isabel in this section, but what do you think of Peter now that we know more about him?

I am thinking Peter had more to do with the apes being sold than we thought (and maybe the explosion also). There is definitely something fishy going on with that guy, but I still can’t figure it all out. I am so glad Isabel is rid of him.

4. Can John turn the ape story for the tabloid into something he is proud of? Is he getting a little bit of redemption by being assigned to his dream story again even if it is for a tabloid?

I am sure he will do more with the story than just write a typical tabloid article. I so want him to get a prize winning story and not that Cat chick. I can’t stand her. I hope he does something great just to get back at her.

5. Have your thoughts on John and Amanda's marriage changed since last week? Where do you see their marriage headed?

Right now I think their marriage has issues, but I think they are holding it more together than I expected. I really hope John helps Amanda get her 2nd book published. I think that would really help their marriage if she can get her career back on track, which will really help her self esteem. I think leaving her in LA with all these people criticizing her is really not going to help matters.

6. What do you think will end up happening to the apes?

I really hope that John and Isabel will help get them out of the Ape House and get them into the care of someone who will have their best interest at heart. I am so surprised that these extreme activists are not trying to bomb the Ape House. I mean they now know where the apes are also. Maybe the porn executive was behind the bombing also, who knows.