BOOK REVIEW: Unspoken
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by: Karri Compton
Dancing Word Reviewer
Title: Unspoken
Author: Angela Hunt
Publisher: WestBow Press
ISBN: 0-8499-4482-1
Genre: Inspirational/Contemporary/Fiction
Call me a skeptic. When introduced to a new idea in a book, I won’t trust it unless the author makes a compelling case. Then, after opening my mind a bit, I contemplate his claims. Consider my mind opened.
Glee Granger, a scientist and animal lover, submerges herself in her work. The love of her life is an eight-year-old gorilla named Sema, on loan from Thousand Oaks Zoo. Completely domesticated, Sema uses sign language to effectively communicate with her trainer. She has even come up with signs and sentences of her own.
Just when Glee’s research turns a corner, Thousand Oaks wants their gorilla back. Glee feels crushed, not wanting to give up all she’s worked for. She considers a lawsuit, but then acquiesces to becoming a zoo employee, which will enable her to work with all the gorillas. In spite of a disagreement Glee had with Brad Fielding during her previous employment at the zoo, she manages to forge ahead with their friendship.
After a near tragedy, Glee’s world spins off-axis as Sema exhibits strange and unprecedented behavior. Has Glee lost the opportunity for serious acclaim in her gorilla research? Has Sema lost her mind? Will Glee accept her grandmother Nana’s wisdom in the matter, or rely on her own strength?
I applaud Hunt for her extensive study and insight into a subject I’ve not seen in Christian fiction to this date. Animal behaviors have long been documented, but we remain unsure of their degree of awareness and understanding of their Creator. Yet the scriptures contain many verses that explain this phenomenon, including the following from Job 12:7 (NIV): “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you…”
I won’t be fundraising for PETA any time soon, but I will never again look at animals the same way. For that reason, I highly recommend this book as a successful eye-opener.