An impressively entertaining tale about the frailty of human civilisation by the leading Flemish writer Peter Verhelst, now for the first time in English. Warning: This story is narrated by a gorilla. He is plucked from the jungle. He learns to chat and passes the ultimate test: a cocktail party. Eventually he is moved to an amusement park, where he acts in a play about the history of civilisation. But as the gorilla becomes increasingly aware of human frailties, he must choose between his instincts and his training, between principles and self-preservation. Why Peirene chose to publish this book: This is Peirene&apos;s first book narrated by an ape. Animal fables are usually not my thing. It needed Belgian deadpan humour to convince me otherwise. Mixing Huxley&apos;s Brave New Worldwith Orwell&apos;s Animal Farm, the fast-paced plot leaves behind images that play in your mind long after you have closed the book.Meike Ziervogel Simple, but wonderful and impassioned.De Standaard< .A hea