From the Bookshelf of Around the World in 80 Books…
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
No group discussions for this book yet.
What Members Thought
Odd but powerful read about how we define family and the impact that separation has on each member of that family. Rosemary and Lowell had a sister, Fern, who was sent away when Rosemary was 5. Rosemary, who is the narrator of the story, goes into great detail about what happened to Fern and why, and how her leaving the family changed each of the family members in ways that would be life-altering.
Fowler weaves an interesting and unique tale that focuses on family, but deals with the broader issu ...more
Fowler weaves an interesting and unique tale that focuses on family, but deals with the broader issu ...more
Inspired by an experiment in the 1930′s in which a husband and wife research team raised a baby chimp in their home as a member of their family, this novel offers a fictional account of a similar experiment run some sixty years later – and its heartbreaking effects on those involved. Our narrator is Rosemary, a woman who reflects back on her childhood, growing up with a human brother and chimpanzee sister – until the dark day her sister, Fern, was taken away. The loss of their beloved family mem
...more
I loved this story. It was original, funny, engaging, and hard to put down. It reveals itself slowly, and the truth about this weird family doesn't come out until part way through the book. Even then, with the non-linear sequencing, more and more layers are revealed, right up to the ending. Not much more can be said without the big spoiler, but the author must have done a lot of research for some of the details. My only criticism is the somewhat abruptness of the ending- suddenly there's a compl
...more
I re-read this for a book club meeting and am very glad I did. Still 5 stars : )
By now, what with the buzz around this novel's success, compounded by its Booker shortlisting, you've probably already heard of *the twist*. But this is a book that has no problem transcending said twist because the story is about so much more. It makes you think of things that I imagine most of us don't want to think about and for that alone it's worth reading. The book would've benefited from being perhaps 50 pages shorter to make it sharper, but all in all this was a wholly satisfying read.
...more
This book did not interest me at all until I read and heard nothing but rave reviews. I will second those reviews and am glad to have read it. Don't let the seemingly odd setup put you off as it did me!
...more
Apr 01, 2014
Tracyene
marked it as to-read
Jul 04, 2014
Laura
marked it as to-read
Sep 04, 2014
Ginger
marked it as to-read
Sep 25, 2014
O'Rissa
marked it as to-read
Oct 19, 2014
Jessica
marked it as to-read
Mar 29, 2015
Shannon Wallner
marked it as to-read
Dec 15, 2015
Jen
marked it as to-read
May 14, 2016
Beth
marked it as to-read
Jul 02, 2016
Christy
marked it as to-read
Dec 08, 2016
Patty
marked it as to-read
Oct 14, 2017
Dana Arbelaez
marked it as to-read
