Jun 9, 2008

If You Were a Talking Baboon


Cornelius Medvei's Mr. Thundermug is an imaginative short novel chronicling the life of Mr. Thundermug, a baboon who inexplicably learns how to speak English. This is another of the books I am reading as part of the Irresistible Review Challenge.

I originally found the review for this book at Diary of an Eccentric, which is listed as book 38, I believe, in the recap. What a great look at the life of a Baboon as a human, or should I say ape in a human world.

***Spoiler Alert***

Mr. Thundermug, his wife, and his two children, Angus and Trudy, are all given names by Mr. Thundermug. The baboon soon realizes that he is the only one in the family able to speak and understand English when it is spoken. Through a series of run-ins with the Council on Housing, Thundermug soon comes to realize that he is governed by two contrary standards--that of human law and natural law.

His grasp of speech amazes many, while others ignore the baboon who speaks their language as if he were a figment of their imagination. I wonder if this book is another look at discrimination, but at the same time I wonder if there is another meaning altogether. Perhaps as humans we are not as superior to animals as we would like to suggest or believe. Perhaps they are wiser than we are.

***End Spoiler Alert***

It's interesting to see a study of animal conditions from another perspective, rather than the human entering the world of the gorilla, for instance. The baboon enters the world of humanity and what he learns is striking.

9 comments:

Jill said...

This does sound like an interesting book - and I'd never even heard of it. Thanks for the review!

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Serena said...

this was a great book...

Anna said...

I came across this book by accident, and I'm so glad I picked it up. It made for a quick read, and it made me think. I never thought about the aspect of humans thinking their superior to animals, but that's a good point.

Serena said...

I'm glad you picked up this book randomly also. It was a great read.

Anonymous said...

I was always fascintated with baboons and chimps when I was younger. I'm definitely going to have to check this one out to see their perspective!

Anna said...

I just loved the description on the book jacket about Mr. Thundermug contemplating life while his wife picks through his fur and eats the bugs. :D

Serena said...

the bug picking is funny....lol matter of fact him trying on those clothes was hilarious.

Anna said...

That was hilarious as well!