When science fiction fans of a certain age think of Planet of the Apes, they inevitably recall the groundbreaking 1968 film starring Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowall and written by Twilight Zone’s Rod Serling. Less well known is that the film was based on a subversively provocative French novel, La Planète des singes, written by Pierre Boulle in 1963. Boulle’s novel (the title literally translates as Monkey Planet) differs from the film in several notable ways, including the ending, one of film’s most iconic moments. The differences between novel and film, in fact, are sufficient that Boulle’s story is a terrific read even for those who have seen the film multiple times. The novel is also a great example of science fiction at its best: holding up a mirror to our own society so that we may see it with unprejudiced eyes.

You might not expect that from a casual glance at the plot summary. The story is seen through the eyes of Ulysse Mérou, a reporter who tags along with two other space travelers to explore the star Betelgeuse in the year 2500. The ship lands on a lush, Earth-like planet called Soror. The crew is surprised to find that the planet is home to humans, albeit ones who are unable to speak and are reduced to living as primitive savages. Although cautious of the otherworldly arrivals, the natives are downright fearful of the species that rule the planet: apes.

Soror’s dominant ape society consists of three components: the chimpanzees are the intellects, the gorillas are the brawn, and the orangutans are the purveyors of “official science” or status quo. Although different apes serve different roles, they are relatively enlightened. They have achieved equality amongst themselves and have fairly advanced science. They’ve mastered technology to the point of having cars, aircraft, and even satellites. The most barbaric things that the intellectually superior apes do is hunt humans for sport and hold them captive.

Ulysse, after being separated from his team and meeting a native woman named Nova, is thrust into this seemingly upside-down society. He is captured, doomed to whatever fate the apes have planned for the inferior animals they call humans. But Ulysse quickly distinguishes himself as an anomaly. He’s unable to communicate efficiently because of the language barrier but nevertheless tries to convince two forward-thinking chimpanzee scientists, Zira and her fiancée Cornelius, that he is an intelligent being, not some mutated animal destined for captivity or worse. Zaius, an old-school orangutan, thinks Ulysse’s unique abilities are nothing more than pet tricks. Therein lies the driving force of the narrative: If Ulysse cannot convince the apes that he is an intelligent, reasoning being, he will be subject to medical experimentation.

But it’s the themes underlying the plot that offer the thought-provoking main course of this fascinating read. By reversing the dominant roles between humans and apes, it challenges readers to rethink the nature of the human superiority we take as a given. The novel also shines a light on several aspects of our own culture. It’s difficult to read through the story and not think about intellectual freedom, social acceptance, and equality. Sure, Planet of the Apes is a fast-paced adventure about human survival on an alien planet run by talking apes, but it’s also a vehicle for astute social commentary.

A spectacular new edition of Planet of the Apes from Folio Society brings that literary importance to the fore. This is most immediately notable is in its craftmanship. Folio’s specialty is producing high-quality editions of literary classics that make book lovers swoon. Planet of the Apes is no exception. The volume itself comes in a durable red slipcase. Removing it reveals the striking front and back cover images of a gorilla wearing a pristine military uniform, an image so different from the film adaptation it dares you to forget what you might know about the story. This is just one of several excellent images by David de las Heras that are peppered throughout the book. The bold artwork is remarkable not only for its appealing style, but also because it brings Boulle’s ape society to vivid life.

The Folio edition, which maintains the definitive English translation by Xan Fielding, also includes a fascinating introduction by Dutch primatologist, ethologist, and author Frans de Waal. In it, he’s quick to point out that although the book reverses the roles of apes and humans, both are part of the same Hominidae taxonomy. Through his scientific eyes, de Waal allows readers to see even more subtle genius in Boulle’s classic. The shoe-is-on-the-other-foot premise goes a very long way toward questioning de facto human behavior. His observations put the human experience into stark and eye-opening perspective. And, like Boulle’s novel, it’s the kind of writing that challenges us and stimulates us, which ultimately is what makes reading a rewarding experience.

Science Fiction/Fantasy correspondent John DeNardo is the founding editor of SF Signal, a Hugo Award-winning blog. Follow him on Twitter @sfsignal.