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No trip to the local zoo is complete without a visit to some of the primates. They’re cute and playful, and their sometimes human-like behavior is always entertaining to watch. Talk to Me by author T. C. Boyle tells the story of one of these clever primates—and the researchers who made him a part of their own unusual little family.
The story explores language and humanity with bored college student Aimee. One night, while she’s watching TV in her cramped apartment, she sees animal behaviorist Guy Schermerhorn and his chimp, Sam. Fascinated by Sam’s use of language, she applies to become Guy’s assistant—but her position becomes more than just a job. She moves in with Guy and Sam and builds a life with both of them. But when Guy’s work comes into question—and Sam is taken away—Aimee has to choose between her relationship with the man and her relationship with the chimp.
Of course, anyone who’s had a pet that became more like family will understand Aimee’s struggle. After all, imagine if your beloved pug could talk to you. Wouldn’t that make your relationship even stronger that it already is?
There’s just something fascinating about Sam—about his playfulness, his affection, and the way in which he seems to fit right in with the “family” at the ranch house. It’s not hard to understand why Aimee was so taken with him from the start. His antics are often amusing, his friendliness appealing.
Underneath it all, though, there’s also something melancholy about Sam’s experiences—something uneasy about the whole story. Sam is incredibly intelligent, able to communicate his thoughts, feelings, and needs with Guy and Aimee and the other assistants. He lives in a nice house, and he enjoys pizza and cocktail hour and climbing his favorite tree. But despite the comfortable surroundings, he’s not truly free. He’s trained to be cute—because that helps the program get more attention and more funding. But he’s kept locked inside. He’s kept on a lead if he leaves the house. If his natural chimp instincts ever come through, he’s locked in his room. And when the program falls apart, things get much darker and more troubling for this lovable experiment.
Though Sam’s story has its share of silly, lighthearted moments, Talk to Me isn’t the lovable, fun-filled romp that you might be expecting. And as Sam’s story plays out, you might find yourself more troubled than entertained.
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