Granta Magazine: The Gorilla's Apprentice

insuranceman on The Gorilla's Apprentice

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:29:21 +0100

This excerpt definitely left me wanting to read more, especially because I was confused the entire time as to whether Sebastien or Jimmy was the orphan.

Elizabeth Hamilton on The Gorilla's Apprentice

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 22:24:12 +0100

A painful situation for a mother and son, who had known better times. They have not adjusted to the new way of life in a poorer neighborhood.

Jimmy found solace in the Animal Orphanage on Sundays to drown out the woes of "Real Life". His mum drownded hers in the use of liquor instead, at the thought of doing her own chores and using her beauty and body to get by.

The Professor stated that trouble began when Sebastian, the gorilla got ill. At Sebastian's death,it seemed as though, the Professor "took over" or possessed the gorilla's body. By being the "gorilla", does he hope to change the situation in the country? I would definitely love to read more of this story.

Renzo on The Gorilla's Apprentice

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:54:50 +0100

I think this must be the truncation of a longer piece because the editing leaves too much unknown at the death scene. I would read more.

The storytelling is masterful, the prose is nearly perfect, and the characters, especially Sebastian, incredibly appealing. And moving. I want to read more.

I like this author, this story and this gorilla. I will read more.