Jungle Heat

By: Bonnie Dee

Narrated by: Philip Rose

Congo Free State, 1888

On a mission deep in the jungle, Oxford anthropologist James Litchfield comes face-to-face with a local legend: a wild man who wanders with mountain gorillas and lives as one of their own.

The chance encounter with the savage, whom James calls Michael, leads to a game of observation and exploration. Their mutual curiosity turns to an attraction, one that Michael has never experienced and James is desperate to deny.

When members of the expedition unearth James's secret discovery, a living specimen of man at his most primitive, Michael becomes a pawn in their quest for fame.

As their relationship deepens, James is compelled to protect Michael from the academics who would treat him as nothing more than a scientific acquisition and London society, which threatens to destroy their passionate bond....

©2010 Bobbie Dee (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

From One Jungle to Another

What made the experience of listening to Jungle Heat the most enjoyable?

The narration is very well done, and the story itself is well written.

What does Philip Rose bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Philip definitely gives voice to all the different characters. He performs very well, giving a good range to the characters and differentiating them from each other.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I could really take it or leave it. I listened to it over a couple of days. I wasn't drawn back to it like other novels, but I also wanted to finish it.

Any additional comments?

At the core of it, it is "a gay Tarzan" story. When that first became evident, I was amused in a comical way. I have never personally been one for the "taming the wildman" story, unless it's a comedy like George of the Jungle. This book does balance on a fine line of societal innocence versus natural attraction and desire.

I do appreciate the, perhaps, deeper point that an attraction to the same sex is a natural inclination, which most likely anyone looking at this book would already know. But the conflict of what is natural and what society deems is wrong is a nice underlying point.

I didn't think there was anything outstanding about the novel, but that is part in parcel when you generally adapt an incredibly well known story. I actually think that this book could be a sort of exception tale for children _if the sex were removed_. It does subtly address a lot of little nuances that would teach good lessons if the focus were on friendship and love. As it stands, it's well written, well performed, and only lacking in that so much of the core concept and tale is not unique in really any way.

While I would not spend money on it outside the Romance Package option, I think that it was certainly worth the listen in that context.

a little drawn out

What did you like best about Jungle Heat? What did you like least?

pretty good storyline but it was drawn out too much.

What did you like best about this story?

interesting twist on Tarzan depiction. a lot of added extra that wasn't needed.

Strong first half, weak second half

Interesting retelling of Tarzan. Starts strong, but the end drags. Worth a listen regardless.

The jungle side of the story has a really strong sense of place, all thick jungle heat and unknown dark corners. The air of adventure and mystery is captured so well. Michael/Tarzan's POV is creatively written to show his unique way of seeing the world. It's really well done. His "outsider" role in the ape community is a fresh take that feels believable. James, the anthropologist, is believably written, too. His scientific hesitation warring with his human curiosity makes total sense. Their exploratory romantic interactions are full of tension and amazing.

I was disappointed with how quickly the story moves to London. The sense of place is lost, and Michael's adjustment, though not easy, still feels far too easy all considered. The ship journey there is intriguing, though, and the first parts of their time in London kept me interested. But eventually, the London portion of the story loses steam and flounders. Even the romantic interactions between Michael and James lose steam and flounder.

While in the Congo, there are a handful of uncomfortable racist remarks from side characters (none from our leads). Although it's consistent with the attitudes of British travelers of the time, it's worth mentioning in case you aren't looking for that in a casual romance listen. Made me feel icky!

*spoilers below*

The end is essentially a 3-way custody battle over Michael. It's a bore. Michael asks the judge for independence, and James has the audacity to look disappointed about it rather than proud. This rubs me wrong even if his feelings are only motivated by worrying Michael is leaving him. Whatever, Michael does get independence in a roundabout way, so I got what I wanted.

In the courtroom, the key villain, a British Lord (I don't remember his title), pulls some predictable and corny shenanigans to try to claim rights to Michael so he can continue to accrue fame for having "found" a wild man. His methods make no sense and feel cartoonish in contrast to the adult tone of the rest of the book. Our leads are even involved in a murder about midway through the book, so the shift from that to courtroom hoaxes feels silly. Our hero, James, saves the day with a single slip of paper declaring it all a hoax, no doublechecking required. Ridiculous. Michael and James get their HEA, but I wish the final moment to achieve that had felt a little more powerful.

So much more than Gay Tarzan

I bought this book expecting a gay take on Tarzan, and there is that element to it. The book takes things deeper than straight Tarzan tales ever do in how our hero adjusts - and in ways doesn't adjust - to the civilized world. The love story is really touching and sweet, the sex was steamy and memorable and the tension when cruel fate is keeping the lovers apart was really intense. Highly recommended.

Story of love

I love this story.
Narrator is very good.
I recommend this recording to all who like love stories.

Trash.

This book was a very big waste of my time and my money. As such, I would not recommend it.