His Monkey Wife; Or, Married to a Chimp

New York: Appleton & Co, 1931. 3rd printing of First US ed. Octavo in dark red rustic cloth; 300p; 20 cm Near fine(-) to very good(+) copy sans jacket. Binding solid & tight; leaves clean. Hardcover.

Satirical fantasy novel by English author John Collier (1901-1980) First published in 1930. Story revolves around a zoologist who falls for a female chimpanzee named Emily. "Through a series of events, Alfred manages to teach Emily how to behave like a human and eventually marries her. The novel explores themes of love, marriage, and the boundaries between humans and animals. "His Monkey Wife" is considered a work of literary satire and social commentary. Collier uses the unconventional premise of a human-chimpanzee marriage to critique various aspects of human society, including societal norms, conventions, and the institution of marriage itself. The book challenges the idea of what it means to be human and questions the boundaries between humans and animals. While the novel garnered attention for its provocative subject matter, it also received mixed reviews upon its release. Some critics appreciated its wit and imaginative storytelling, while others found it bizarre and morally unsettling. Nevertheless, "His Monkey Wife" remains a notable work in Collier's body of work and is often studied in the context of early 20th-century satire and speculative fiction. John Collier was known for his dark humor and his ability to blend elements of fantasy, horror, and satire in his writing. His other notable works include short story collections like "Fancies and Goodnights" and "The John Collier Reader." Collier's unique storytelling style and exploration of human nature continue to be appreciated by readers interested in imaginative and thought-provoking literature."