The man among the monkeys; or, Ninety days in apeland To which are added: The philosopher and his monkeys, The professor and the crocodile, and other strange stories of men and animals

About this book

"The Man Among the Monkeys; or, Ninety Days in Apeland" by Léon Gozlan is a fictional narrative likely written in the late 19th century. This tale chronicles the adventures of Polydorus Marasquin, who becomes embroiled in extraordinary encounters with a variety of apes after a shipwreck leaves him stranded on a mysterious island. Through his journey, themes of survival, the intricate nature of human-animal relationships, and the dark humor tied to his misfortunes with animals are explored. At the start of the story, the protagonist, Polydorus Marasquin, provides a background of his family's legacy and his passion for natural history. After losing his father to a tiger, he takes over the family business of acquiring and trading exotic animals, including an array of apes. Tragedy strikes when a baboon, seeking revenge, sets fire to his menagerie, killing his mother and forcing him into a precarious new life. As he sets sail for Oceania once more, his journey takes a dramatic turn when he shipwrecks on a jungle-filled island, only to find himself besieged by a chaotic multitude of apes, setting the stage for the wild adventures that will ensue.