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Planet of the Apes Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Planet of the Apes


In the year 2500, a spaceship leaves the Earth with three passengers; their ambitous mission is to reach a region of space never explored. They arrive to a planet that is very similar to the Earth, climately and geographically speaking. They come across human beings, but soon discover they are live like wild animals and possess no language. The intelligent beings in this planet are the apes.
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The protagonist, french journalist Ulysse Mérou is taken to a lab as an experimental subject, for it is common for apes to experiment with human beings. One of his companions, young scientist Arthur Levain, is killed by hunters. The fate of the mission's leader Professor Antelle, the Earth's wealthiest and smartest man, is unknown.

Ulysse tries to prove to the apes that he is a rational being, unlike his fellow humans from the planet. The question is: Will he be able to? And if he can achieve that, what is next for an intelligent man in a planet ruled by apes?
The review of this Book prepared by StephanieA




Ulysse Merou is part of an expedition to explore new worlds, along with his two companions and their monkey pet they reach the new world only to discover that this world has evolution in reverse. Humans are little more than animals to be experimented on while the dominant race are the apes. Ulysse tries to prove that he is more than just an animal by learning the language of the apes and conversing with them. Along with the ape scientists Ulysse discovers that there was a race of intelligent humans on this planet earlier but they were eclipsed by the apes. Finally Ulysse's prescence causes a stir among the apes and he is forced to escsape with his new found love and son to his spaceship to return to earth but a shock awaits him when he arrives.
The review of this Book prepared by Neil Morey




The original novel by Pierre Boulle begins in the same general way as Tim Burton's new movie, although the end is radically different from either the Burton or Charlton Heston file versions. The main character discovers that the planet he's landed on has a dominant ape population, and the humans are little more than animals. Eventually, he communicates that he is more than just an animal, and eventually discovers-- along with a prominent ape scientist-- that the planet was people by humans whose laziness and reliance on technology prevented them from mustering the determination to suppress a revolt of their trained ape servants. This is an entertaining, thought-provoking novel, and neither film version does it justice.
The review of this Book prepared by Patrick Grode




Spaceship pilot and his friends land on a planet, sopposedly in another galaxy. They encounter humnas who are as developed as animals and apes, as developed as humans. Only Taylor survives a hunt and is brought to an animal psycology. She and her fiance help Taylor to escape the city because he can talk and thus is dangerous to the apes who are afraid of discovering the real past of their race. Taylor and his new family fly to Earth and discover that there too apes are in control.
The review of this Book prepared by irina



Chapter Analysis of Planet of the Apes

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Plot & Themes

Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence 20%planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives 60%Feelings, relationships, character bio/development 10%Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places 10% Tone of book    -   very upbeat FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?    -   science fiction story Repressive society story    -   Yes Is this an adult or child's book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book Who's a slave/repressed?    -   humans are slaves of aliens

Main Character

Identity:    -   Male Profession/status:    -   journalist    -   explorer Age:    -   20's-30's

Setting

Terrain    -   Jungle    -   Forests Earth setting:    -   distant future A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:    -   humans in a primitive/fantasy society    -   inhabited by friendly aliens    -   unfriendly aliens Takes place on Earth?    -   Yes Planet outside solar system?    -   Yes

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   generic/vague references to death/punishment scientific jargon? (SF only)    -   none/very little science jargon needed    -   some scientific explanation Sex in book?    -   Yes What kind of sex:    -   vague references only    -   impregnation/reproduction How much dialogue?    -   roughly even amounts of descript and dialog    -   significantly more descript than dialog

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Pierre Boulle Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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