← Back to search
Cover of Great Apes

Great Apes

Will Self (1997)

SubgenreHigh Fantasy
Age groupAdult 18+
Content ratingR
Pages (Standard (250-400))
Setting
CSM age18+
Goodreads3.66

Content levels

ViolenceMild
Sexual contentModerate
LanguageStrong

Positive tags

HumorSelf-Discovery

Hero archetypes

Artist

Protagonist archetypes

Fish out of WaterReluctant Hero

Synopsis

"When artist Simon Dykes wakes after a late night of routine debauchery, he discovers that his world has changed beyond recognition. His girlfriend, Sarah, has turned into a chimpanzee. And, to Simon’s appalled surprise, so has the rest of humanity. Simon, under the bizarre delusion that he is ‘human’, is confined to an emergency psychiatric ward. There he becomes of considerable interest to eminent psychologist and chimp, Dr Zack Busner. For with this fascinating case, Busner thinks may finally make his reputation as a truly great ape." --Publisher.

Great Apes: content & age rating

Intended for adult readers (18+).

This satirical literary fantasy contains adult themes, likely strong language, sexual content, and explores psychological distress and questions of sanity. The premise involves species transformation and psychiatric confinement.

What to know going in

This book has mild violence, moderate sexual content, and strong language. Content notes include mental illness, psychiatric confinement, and gaslighting (see the full list above).

Who'll love this

Adult readers who enjoy darkly comic satire and thought-provoking philosophical speculation will find this premise fascinating.

Tags

Satirical FantasySpeculative FictionPsychological FictionLiterary Fantasy