In a frame story, a rich couple sailing in space, Jinn and Phyllis, rescue and translate a manuscript from a floating bottle.

[3] The manuscript was written by Ulysse Mérou, a French journalist who, in 2500, was invited by Professor Antelle to accompany him and his disciple, physician Arthur Levain, to Betelgeuse.

They land their shuttle on a temperate, lushly forested planet which they name Soror (Latin for sister).

The apes smoke tobacco, photograph their hunting trophies, drink through straws, and appear civilized.

Their society is divided into three strata: militaristic gorillas as police and soldiers, conservative orangutans as politicians and religious authorities, and liberal chimpanzees as scientists.

Curious chimpanzee researcher Zira takes an interest in his geometric drawings and his ability to speak a few simian words.

Antelle reverts to primitive humanity in the zoo and is moved to the laboratory for safety, where he is mated to a young female.

[4] The first English language version, with a translation by Xan Fielding, was published in the United States by Vanguard Press in June 1963 under the title Planet of the Apes.

An earlier draft of the 1968 film's screenplay, authored by The Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling more closely adapted the novel in terms of the imagery of the ape society.