In this novel, London Zoo houses a pair of Hackenfeller's Apes, the nearest primates to humans. The Professor is studying them, hoping to become the first human to observe them mating. Edwina is willing but Percy is reluctant. Then Kendrick arrives and announces he has purchased Percy so he can be placed in a space capsule and launched into space. Can the Professor prevent this happening?
It was written in 1953, when British troops were still fighting communist-led guerrilla freedom fighters in an attempt to re-establish their colonial government in Malaya following the occupation by the Japanese. The first primate in space was a rhesus macaque monkey called Albert II who was launched on a V2 rocket from New Mexico in the USA into outer space reaching an altitude of 83 miles before dying on the return journey when the capsule’s parachute failed to deploy.
It is told from an omniscient perspective in the past tense which gives a sense of detachment; it is primarily a novel of ideas in which issues are debated, often through dialogue.
It is generally sparsely and elegantly written though there are one or two moments of fabulous description, such as: “The canal stood black and transparent like indian ink, between banks mottled by sun. Once or twice a day a boat slowly passed, silencing the fish in their continual scratching of the water.” (Predicament of an Ape; Sunday)
There's a nice moment at the end when an embryo compares its situation to being sealed inside the capsule of a space rocket.
Selected quotes:
- “Kendrick liked men and machines for what they could do. The Professor liked men and monkeys for what they could not do.” (Predicament of an Ape; Monday)
- “That's the sin of it! the monkey has no choice. if Kendrick went, he'd be risking his own life, of his own free will.” (Predicament of an Ape; Monday)
- “The last two wars brought economic ruin to Europe but we still think that war is an economic necessity.” (Predicament of an Ape; Monday)
- “All the periods when your operas and other forms of art have flourished have been characterized by the most bloodthirsty ‘necessities’. The Greeks believed slavery was necessary to stable government. The Victorians believed empire was necessary to progress.” (Predicament of an Ape; Monday)
- “Behind my back my hand reaches for the door knob. My body moves away; my dress seems to get up and follow it a minute later.” (Escapade of a Professor; The Night Tuesday - Wednesday)
- “Percy, fat, bald and, with his pink lips, repulsive; yet compelling; Percy ring-encrusted; Percy with wet cigar and lisp; racketeering in drink, drugs, gaming and pornographic pictures.” (Escapade of a Professor; The Night Tuesday - Wednesday)
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