Monkey Business...

This was an excellent book, even if you've enjoyed the original film (and who hasn't?). You can clearly see the inspiration for the classic movie, but the book moves in a slightly different direction. You will find the principle characters of Nova, Cornelius, Zira, and Dr. Zaius. Beyond that, I won't divulge any specifics about the story, as it has its own little twists and turns. For the Planet of the Apes completist, I say quit monkeying around and listen to this one!

14 people found this helpful

You've Seen the Movies, Now Read the Book!

Even if you're very familiar with the classic 1968 Charlton Heston movie, there are a few surprises and plot twists here that make this an interesting and exciting listen. The main character is Ulysse, a French journalist who journeys with two other intrepid astronauts to the distant star, Betelgeuse, where they, of course, come upon the Planet of the Apes, inhabited by primitive humans and technologically advanced chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans. The themes are somewhat different from those of the movie, but this is a well written and exciting book with a tightly-constructed plot, which also raises interesting questions about the ethics of animal research and social behaviors which can bring about the death of a civilization. Well narrated.

8 people found this helpful

I have not criticism to offer

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I love this book so much that I was sad that Pierre Boulle had no other books on audible to offer. He does an excellent job of verbalizing the main characters frustration with trying to prove his intellect to the apes without losing his mind.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nova, she's definitely not that bright but I do appreciate that she gets smarter... maybe not smart enough to graduate from the third grade but it's a start.

Which scene was your favorite?

The end... I have nothing left to say about it but it was quite the ending.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I didn't have to work and eat, I would have listened in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

I hope more of his writing gets translated into english and become available on audible

4 people found this helpful

Misogyny

It is a classic for a reason. The plot is great and reflects the author’s thoughts and mockery of the human nature.

HOWEVER, I can not overlook the misogyny from the book that leaves a really bad taste in my mouth. How the main chat goes to a strange planet and all the people are good looking and he gets the prettiest young girl as well as a female ape soulmate that’s so devoted to him. Also hate the part where he says motherhood change Nova and makes her more intelligent. The thought of him being caught by the chimps for brain experiments makes me so happy. The story ends with them on a voyage in space and I truly hope they get caught by chimps soon.

2 people found this helpful

The Movie was good, but the book is even better

Years ago I saw the planet of the apes movies and thought they were excellent science fiction movies. I stumbled onto this audio book and took a chance on it - so glad I did. I always thought that the original movie had an iconic ending, but honestly the ending of the book is even better. The writing is clever and the story line unique. The characters are interesting and well developed. The narrator does an outstanding job. It is just an excellent book, if you enjoy science fiction I would highly recommend this book. The ending is a complete surprise, very different from the movie.

2 people found this helpful

ORANGUTANS ARE OFFICIAL SCIENCE

GORILLAS ARE MEAT EATERS
This is a great intelligent read. If you pick this up looking forward to the campy war like gorillas in the movie, you will be disappointed. Gorillas are the physical ones, they do hunt and kill humans, but instead of wearing leather, they wear the clothes of gentlemen.

ORANGUTANS
They are the stogy heads of science. THEY READ BOOKS, THAN WRITE BOOKS, REPEATING WHAT THEY READ. They have little imagination, but lots of power. I am wondering if Boulle was making a statement about a certain group of scientists?

The Chimps
All science advancements come from this group. They are they opened minded ones with imagination.

The story
This is more of an intellectual read with discussions on evolution, devolution, treatment of animals in labs and much more than the movies. The movies are good, but they went they way of more violence to get the ratings. I like the book, much better. The book has it's own twists and turns, that goes one better than the movie. Writing is superb, with plenty of story and intensity.

22 people found this helpful

Satire:

It’s the same as here but there’s animals in it. Five more words are required.

1 person found this helpful

Not the movie, so you can read it

Not the movie, so you can read it without knowing what happens next. The language sounded like pre 1950's . Not a bad book, but I liked the movie better.

A juxtaposition between “man” and “beast” that brings questions of mortality and history

As Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are woven into the fabrics of modern life in the year 2021, this book (written in 1963), is a timeless reminder of both the conscious and subconscious views we have about “superiority” and intelligence. For me, it is a personal reminder that it’s just as important to teach kindness and empathy to machines as it is to teach kindness and empathy to our children.

Doesn’t age well

The complete lack of scientific basis for almost all of the book is just too hard to even listen to at times. The constant reference to base instincts in sexuality is tiring. The poorly thought out psychology is just stupid. It’s such a fun premise but so poorly executed as to be frustrating. I really wanted to like it but ultimately it wasn’t that good of writing. The narration is decent though.