We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler

2.0 Stars

This book was nominated for the Nebula Award. I am not sure why, as it is not science fiction nor is it fantasy. The main character of this book is Rosemary, a dysfunctional adult who tells the story of her childhood. Early in the story, and as one could guess from the cover, Rosemary divulges her secret – that her sister was a chimpanzee. But, even though Rosemary states over and over at the end of the book that her story is about Fern – that everything is about Fern, the book is about Rosemary. And Rosemary just isn't that interesting.

The psychology discussed in the book is interesting. Memory is a fluid thing and this is illustrated nicely by contrasting Rosemary's memories of her life with Fern and her mother's memories of the same incidences. This book also makes one think about the role of animals in research. The scientist's view says that sometimes it is necessary, but the animal lover's view says no, it is not worth subjecting a living, breathing creature to pain and an unnatural lifestyle. It also makes the point that even though chimpanzees are very human-like, they are not human.

There are some very good ideas in this book. Unfortunately, they are bogged down by the details of the life of a rather unlikable main character and her unlikable friends.