November Book Review

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book review blogs

@Barrie Summy

 

 

It's been a while since I've participated in the book club because, frankly, I haven't been reading a lot of books that I wanted to - or even felt right about - recommending.  Then a few weeks ago I picked up a book I'd ordered a while back based on another review I had read from a book club member.  The review had me ordering the book the instant after I posted a comment, it was that compelling to me.  Then, as I do some times, I didn't pick up the book for a while because I couldn't remember exactly what it was that made me want it.  After reading a series of very bad books, I figured I had nothing to lose and started reading the book I'm reviewing today.
 

 I'm reviewing The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate.

Ivan is a gorilla.  He lives in a mall where he is expected to bring in customers who will spend their hard earned money.  His home consists of three walls made of glass and one wall that is painted to resemble a jungle.  He's friends with Stella the elephant, who has to perform several times a day and Bob, a stray dog.  The story is told in first person narrative from the viewpoint of Ivan.

During the time that I was reading this book I got my flu shot from the medical department where I work.  We're required to wait for 20 minutes after we get our shot to ensure we don't have an adverse reaction.  I always take a book down with me to fill the time and so I had this book with me.  The nurse administering the shot asked what I was reading and asked if it was good.  I said that it was good and then compared Ivan to Eeyore from the Winnie the Pooh series.  They're both loveable characters but I think the difference is that Eeyore expects bad things to happen to him.  He takes the bad things in stride but they're still expected.  Ivan, on the other hand, is just reporting events.  He doesn't complain and he doesn't whine, it's just how things are.

He's also very loyal to his friends.  Where he accepts his lot in life, he takes actions to make things right or better for his friends.

I fell in love with Ivan.  I laughed and cried while reading this book.  I wanted to help Ivan and make things better for him.  The details were that well told by the author.  At the beginning of the book there are some definitions of things you will be reading.  A me-ball is "dried excrement thrown at observers".  The following passage from the book is one that I found meaningful and tugged at my heart.

Three visitors

Three visitors are here: a woman, a boy, a girl.
I strut across my domain for them.  I dangle from my tire swing.  I eat three banana peels in a row.
The boys spit at my window.  The girls throws a handful of pebbles.
Sometimes I'm glad the glass is there.

My visitors return

After the show, the spit-pebble children come back.
I display my impressive teeth. I splash in my filthy pool.  I grunt and hoot.  I eat and eat and eat some more.
The children pound their pathetic chests.  They toss more pebbles.
"Slimy chimps," I mutter.  I throw a me-ball at them.
Sometimes I wish the glass were not there.

I love kids and I know this is a work of fiction but I was upset by the kids and wished the me-ball had hit them.

Now, having said it was a work of fiction, it is inspired by a true story.  There really exists a gorilla who lived in a mall as entertainment.  I didn't know this until I finished the book and read the author's note.  Of course the events and thoughts of Ivan were created from the author's imagination but they made me care about a gorilla, two elephants and a dog named Bob.

Some may say it's cheating that I'm reviewing a book that was previously reviewed but I think it's reinforcing the original recommendation that this is a book that should be read.

 Edited to add:  After adding the link to the previous review, I went back and read it.  That review really captures the essence of the book so well.  If you haven't read it before, follow the link - it's worth the re-read.