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jenmangler's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed Half Brother. Ben’s family embarks on a long-term project to teach a baby chimpanzee to speak using American Sign Language. The chimpanzee, Zan, will live in their house and each member of the family, along with a slew of university students, will be responsible for Zan’s care and his learning.
The close relationship Ben forms with Zan is my favorite part of the book. For Ben, Zan isn’t just the subject of an experiment. He’s a member of the family. Yes, he’s not human, but he’s not just an animal, either. Where does Zan fit? Where does Zan belong? Interesting questions without easy answers. I also liked the relationship Zan and Ben formed with Peter, one of the university students. Peter doesn’t talk down to Ben or treat him like an inferior like some of the other students - and Ben’s own father - continually do.
This book raises some interesting ethical questions, but it doesn’t do so in an even-handed manner. There is clearly a right and a wrong here, especially in the last third of the book. I wish the opposing viewpoints hadn’t been made by such over-the-top “bad guy” types, because this makes it hard to really engage in the thorny ethical debate being addressed when one side is so clearly bad.
The ending is a bit out there and stretches credulity. And there really is no resolution in the tense relationship Ben has with his father, which is a big part of the story. Still, I recommend the book. I think it’s the kind of book that can get you thinking about big questions, and that’s always a good thing.
The close relationship Ben forms with Zan is my favorite part of the book. For Ben, Zan isn’t just the subject of an experiment. He’s a member of the family. Yes, he’s not human, but he’s not just an animal, either. Where does Zan fit? Where does Zan belong? Interesting questions without easy answers. I also liked the relationship Zan and Ben formed with Peter, one of the university students. Peter doesn’t talk down to Ben or treat him like an inferior like some of the other students - and Ben’s own father - continually do.
This book raises some interesting ethical questions, but it doesn’t do so in an even-handed manner. There is clearly a right and a wrong here, especially in the last third of the book. I wish the opposing viewpoints hadn’t been made by such over-the-top “bad guy” types, because this makes it hard to really engage in the thorny ethical debate being addressed when one side is so clearly bad.
The ending is a bit out there and stretches credulity. And there really is no resolution in the tense relationship Ben has with his father, which is a big part of the story. Still, I recommend the book. I think it’s the kind of book that can get you thinking about big questions, and that’s always a good thing.
reader4evr's review against another edition
4.0
This is my first book by Kenneth Oppel and probably not my last.
I loved the relationship between Ben and Zan, so cute. I didn't really like Ben at some points during the story especially when he had his Project Jennifer going. Didn't like the dad at all, found him to be a jerk.
One of the things I didn't enjoy about the book is that it kind of dragged at some points towards the middle but at the end, I just wanted to sit and finish it to figure out what happens with Zan.
Not a totally original idea because it kind of reminded me of Planet of the Apes but I have never read a book that covered this topic.
I loved the relationship between Ben and Zan, so cute. I didn't really like Ben at some points during the story especially when he had his Project Jennifer going. Didn't like the dad at all, found him to be a jerk.
One of the things I didn't enjoy about the book is that it kind of dragged at some points towards the middle but at the end, I just wanted to sit and finish it to figure out what happens with Zan.
Not a totally original idea because it kind of reminded me of Planet of the Apes but I have never read a book that covered this topic.
madsgraph's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel is a Young-adult book.
This book is about a chimpanzee who gets raised by an American household to learn their language. Some of the characters include Ben and Zan. The father of the family sees Zan as just an experiment, which is pretty sad.
I think this is a really good book and when you read it you really start to think about life, like you’ve never done before. This book is an emotional rollercoaster which everyone should read even people who don’t even like this genre. Though one bad thing about the book is that it can be a little slow-paced at times and you don’t really read it as quickly.
I do recommend you read this book, even if you don’t like you should at least try it.
This book is about a chimpanzee who gets raised by an American household to learn their language. Some of the characters include Ben and Zan. The father of the family sees Zan as just an experiment, which is pretty sad.
I think this is a really good book and when you read it you really start to think about life, like you’ve never done before. This book is an emotional rollercoaster which everyone should read even people who don’t even like this genre. Though one bad thing about the book is that it can be a little slow-paced at times and you don’t really read it as quickly.
I do recommend you read this book, even if you don’t like you should at least try it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment and Animal cruelty
mstejpal's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
emrodav's review against another edition
5.0
This book punched me in the stomach and ripped me open. It's just so good. I stayed up until 2am crying as I finished it. Actual review to come later.
akublik's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book - Ben's character was believable and well developed, and I came to care about Zan as much as he did. I didn't pick up on the time hints right away - it took me a while to realize the book is set in the 1970s, when these kinds of experiments were first conducted.
tdekamprn's review against another edition
Slow. Not enough interesting things going on.
bushraboblai's review against another edition
5.0
This book made cry, laugh and question my entire existence. EVERYONE, needs to read this.
rocketbride's review against another edition
4.0
interesting meditation on what makes us human: responsibility or dumb luck.
saidtheraina's review against another edition
4.0
Great historical fiction with a local angle (Victoria is a great weekend destination for my area), and a cool scientific/animal hook.
Booktalked this as part of my 2016 middle school sweep and it was a runaway hit.
This was an example of a book where I rewrote my booktalk to great success.
My first version focused on the "double-edged sword"ness of the similarities between humans and chimpanzees. My second booktalk took a scene from the book of Zan being adorable and brought it to life. Complete with a bottle of liquid soap.
Pretty hefty, but still successful, this took me a few years to get to it, but I'm glad I did. Kenneth Oppel is one of those authors I have to resist reading... he's so good!
Booktalked this as part of my 2016 middle school sweep and it was a runaway hit.
This was an example of a book where I rewrote my booktalk to great success.
My first version focused on the "double-edged sword"ness of the similarities between humans and chimpanzees. My second booktalk took a scene from the book of Zan being adorable and brought it to life. Complete with a bottle of liquid soap.
Pretty hefty, but still successful, this took me a few years to get to it, but I'm glad I did. Kenneth Oppel is one of those authors I have to resist reading... he's so good!