My Ishmael

My Ishmael is a 1997 novel by Daniel Quinn that is a sequel—and largely a sidequel—to Ishmael. With its time frame largely simultaneous with Ishmael, its plot precedes the fictional events of its 1996 spiritual successor, The Story of B. Like Ishmael, My Ishmael largely revolves around a Socratic dialogue between the sapient gorilla, Ishmael, and a student, involving his philosophy regarding tribal society. Ishmael's pupil in My Ishmael is a twelve-year-old female protagonist, Julie Gerchak. The plot details her visits to Ishmael and her journey to Africa to prepare for Ishmael's return to his homeland.