Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle

I’m not sure what I was looking for with this book. A new way to look at the original movie? To see the background story that informed the media franchise? Regardless, I started reading it and it flowed like quicksilver. As social commentary, science fiction usually excels. It tried to in this book but never gelled for me. I wonder if I didn’t have the baggage of seeing the original five films, if I would have been more impacted by this novel? The central characters arrogance throughout is part of the author’s critique, I’m sure, but the character’s manner does grate on me. I have no sympathy for him or his travails. He’s supposed to be the advanced human with humanity’s strengths, but his arrogance and egoism highlight more base urges than higher level qualities.

I picked this book up at my favorite local used book store: Curmudgeon Books at Savage Mill. At the minimum, getting this book was worth it for the investment in this cherished neighborhood gem.