The author's pseudonym  should give ample clues as to what direction the plot of this story takes. It is a well thought out and extremely well researched satire, written with such skill that the pages turn themselves...

The author's pseudonym  should give ample clues as to what direction the plot of this story takes. It is a well thought out and extremely well researched satire, written with such skill that the pages turn themselves... before you know it you are entrenched in a parodied world where everybody has turned into chimpanzees. Self uses the animals perfectly to lay bare our own cravings and desires that are often hushed and swept under rugs. We much prefer to think that only others have weaknesses. If I were to compare this work to anything it would be Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis, only written with more skill, a thicker plot and a heady dose of Tom Sharpe.

I find it difficult to believe that I read this book almost thirteen years ago as a 22 year old man but it still rests firmly in my mind as one of the best books I have ever read. Right from the outset, Self, makes things difficult for himself and comes out swinging.

The protaginist, Simon Dykes, awakens to find that he and the rest of humanity have turned into chimpanzees, but he is the only that remembers he is human. The rest of what was humanity act exactly like chimpanzees but with human endeavours, or is that the other way around?

Self's research into chimpanzee behaviour is clearly to be applauded although often you can almost imagine that he has bogged himself down too much with details. There are some weak jokes that may or may not make you cringe. Chimpanzees are brutal creatures, rape, buggery and incest are all a part of their repertoire and they don't mind who's watching... or is that Human?

Anyone over 30 may find this book a little wearing, but will still be left wondering what he could possibly come up with for an ending and may come away feeling somewhat of an anti-climax... but the story will certainly inspire some thoughts on the subject of human behaviour.

SkunkHouse Rating... Worth a read... 7/10