The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore

De: Benjamin Hale

Narrado por: Robert Petkoff

Bruno Littlemore is quite unlike any chimpanzee in the world. Precocious, self-conscious and preternaturally gifted, young Bruno, born and raised in a habitat at the local zoo, falls under the care of a university primatologist named Lydia Littlemore. Learning of Bruno's ability to speak, Lydia takes Bruno into her home to oversee his education and nurture his passion for painting. But for all of his gifts, the chimpanzee has a rough time caging his more primal urges. His untimely outbursts ultimately cost Lydia her job, and send the unlikely pair on the road in what proves to be one of the most unforgettable journeys -- and most affecting love stories -- in recent literature. Like its protagonist, this novel is big, loud, abrasive, witty, perverse, earnest and amazingly accomplished. The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore goes beyond satire by showing us not what it means, but what it feels like be human -- to love and lose, learn, aspire, grasp, and, in the end, to fail.

Reseñas de la Crítica

In this account by a chimpanzee who ascends the evolutionary ladder, first-novelist Hale explores what it means to be human. Nine years into captivity after committing a murder, Bruno-24 years old, hairless, with his spine straightened by bipedal standing, and his surgically fashioned, humanoid nose-dictates his memoirs, having become proficient at speech, reading, and visual arts. His first name was given to him at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo where he was born, his second is taken by him from researcher Dr. Lydia Littlemore, who tests him and with whom he comes to share a home and a deep, and eventually sexual, love. Motivated by his love for Lydia and language, Bruno soon lives and functions as a human, becoming an assault on those who consider humans unique, and his blissful relationship with Lydia spawns hatred. Like his protagonist, Hale clearly loves language, using words with precision (likely to send readers to a dictionary) and for play, as when Lydia, when happy, "chortled up the engine" to start her car. With its exuberantly detailed sex between species and its concept that human cognizance of death leads to superstition and religion, this novel is likely to offend some readers, while others will find it holds a remarkable, riotous mirror to mankind.—Booklist (Starred Review)

"Hale's novel is so stuffed with allusions high and low, so rich with philosophical interest, that a reviewer risks making it sound ponderous or unwelcoming. So let's get this out of the way: THE EVOLUTION OF BRUNO LITTLEMORE is an absolute pleasure. Much of the pleasure comes from the book's voice . . . There is a Bellovian exhuberance befitting a Chicago-born autodidact . . . There's also great pleasure in the audacity of the story itself. THE EVOLUTION OF BRUNO LITTLEMORE announces that Benjamin Hale is himself a fully evolved as a writer, taking on big themes, intent on fitting the world into his work. Hale's daring is most obvious in his portrayal of the relationship between Bruno and Lydia, which eventually breaks the one sexual taboo even Nabokov wouldn't touch . . . Ultimately the point of these scenes is not to shock us but to ask what fundamentally makes us human, what differences inhere between a creature like Lydia and a creature like Bruno that disqualify the latter from the full range of human affection."—Christopher Beha, New York Times Book Review

Mostly good, odd ending

The book was enjoyable up until Bruno ends up in New York. That whole section of the book was bizarrely disjointed from the rest of the narrative and really didn't fit in at all. On balance, it was enjoyable, but it ran a bit long given the long rambling in NY at the end.

Bruno, what a life you lived!?!

Some of the topics of this book were a bit crude at first, but if you truly look at this story as a what if and let your logic go then it is truly enjoyable. I know we as humans don't know all there is to know, so maybe. I really recommend this book to all who truly love fiction.

Unique, compelling, fun!

What a great book. This fantasy world of Bruno has to be enjoyed by anyone who wants to escape the normal. I laughed out-loud many times while listening to this book. The reader has an excellent voice and enhances the experience. Loved it.

A Revolutionary Tale

This is a very fascinating book. It details the evolution of Bruno, a chimpanzee, from ape to a primate closer to its human form. I think this evolution was mainly possible due to knowledge; his craving for it and the availability and willingness of others to offer it to Bruno. There are elements to the book that are way too fantastic, as well as a bit difficult to swallow at face value. But overall, it is a story that exalts the best of the human condition, but using a primate as the main character.

The performance was great. Robert Petkoff is a very gifted narrator and performer; he could read the phone book and make it seem like he is reading early 19th century English literature. His voice changes very on the mark and slightly petulant voice he gave Bruno gave true life to this character.

Prepare To Be Dazzled!

The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore is an amazing novel. It is often hilarious, occasionally revolting and never stops asking, "What exactly does it mean to be human?"

Bruno Littlemore experiences life on both sides of the glass wall that separates the chimpanzees from the visitors at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo. That unique perspective is what makes this book so wonderful.

This is Benjamin Hale's first novel and he's created something very special. Robert Petkoff does a tremendous job reading the book.

This is the kind of book I will listen to again and again and every time find something new and amazing.

Do yourself a favor and get this book. And once you've read it, tell all your friends about it. I have.

well chosen narrator, good story

If you like anthropomorphic animal stories for grown ups (I do), I recommend this one. The comments that there is too much description and repetition is very true; but as the book moves into the middle section you start to get that this is just part of Bruno's personality. It's not a very realistic book (if the premise were true), but fun nonetheless. It could be titled something like "Forrest Gump with Chimpanzees" in certain spots.

5 stars all around!!

A stunning and deep story. I loved Bruno!! The voice used to perform Bruno was wonderful, I have told friends to listen it, don't read it because you would never use that wonderful accent. It was quite a journey, we took, Bruno and I. I have some new "life quotes" I have a new feeling about chimps. After listening to this and listening to the 20 minute interview with the author..please do not miss that...I watched some Jane Goodall documentaries and have some whole new thoughts about apes.

If I had one thing negative to say...it would only be this...how many times can the author use the term "my long purple fingers". Really...it almost got annoying, but if that's the worst..then please, please listen to this book!! Wonderful!!!

WOW!

This one is fantastic! Hale is a first-time author who is going to have difficulty doing better in future books. The plot (outrageous as it is) provides avenues for thought about evolution, humanity, philosophy, culture and it includes lots of humor.
Petkoff reads in the voice of his characters and is totally believable; he is the character for those moments.
This is the best book I have ever listened to.

Wonderful book! Stretches the imagination and makes you think.

Loved the book overall. It was a great ride but about a 1/3 rd of the way through it was a little tough to stay engaged. It was very much worth it as it had a great ending. Loved to hear the writers interview at the end.

Overwrought

Great idea with some terrific passages, but belabored and repetitive, and, because of that, it became boring and irritating.