The Apes Are Upstaged By A Red Velvet Pit Bull Named "Booger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                        There is also a Russian stripper named Ivanka, who works out somewhere in this trashy strip mall section of New Mexico, with sleazy hotels, in what is a brilliant dissection of Trash America....I am telling you, "Ape House" turns out to be even better than "Water For Elephants."  That first novel, which deservedly brought Sara Gruen to attention, got much attention, but it took me 50 to 65 pages worth of reading before deciding whether or not I wanted to continue. The book did not click for me, until around then; after that, it was off to the races, and an enjoyable read!

                                          "Ape House" hooked me right away. It is shorter than the previous book, but seems to have more scope, as it covers myriads of issues in a short amount of time.  Gruen has really matured as a writer with this one, which makes me even more anxious to read her latest, "At The Water's Edge," which presses my buttons directly, since it deals with tracking down the Loch Ness Monster.

                                            The animals are the heroes here, the villains are as nasty as they come, and get what they deserve, except they should be have ground up and fed to the animals.

                                            But "Ape House" comes out a winner, and if you have not given it a chance, I urge you to!

                                             Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter would have loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!