Summary

Part One is titled “Otto.” Chapter One, Kinshasa, The Capital of Congo, opens with Sophie Biyoya-Ciardulli's arrival in Kinshasa. She was born in Kinshasa and lived here until she was eight. Her father got a job in Miami, Florida, and Sophie moved with him to America. When her parents divorced, her mother remained in Kinshasa. Sophie attends school in Miami and spends summer vacations with her mother. The region is dangerous, crowded, and has few roads.

Sophie's mother, Florence, operates a sanctuary for bonobo apes. An employee of the sanctuary, Clement, is driving Sophie from the airport when Sophie sees a man on the side of the road with a bonobo. The ape is tied up, malnourished, dirty, and has obviously been abused. Sophie says she has to help the bonobo, but Clement says Florence will turn the information over to the...