The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story

The Zookeeper's Wife by Ackerman
This is a true story based on the husband and wife caretakers of the Warsaw Zoo during WWII. It tells a great deal about the animals in the zoo and the caretakers; there is also the story of the Underground movement and the help given to remove Jews from the Warsaw ghetto by the zoo caretakers. These escapees became the guests at the main house at the zoo and were often placed in the animal houses, to hide them from the German soldiers.

This book is an emotional roller coaster. Ackerman starts out displaying her marvelous descriptive skills, setting the stage.

"...on warm days, when the linden trees' creamy yellow tassels drugged the air with the numbing scent of honey and the rhumba of bees."

The linden trees are mentioned throughout the book as a bit of respite and a oasis of normality.

Ackerman's telling of the atrocities that happened in the Warsaw ghetto is strong and powerful and numbing. She counters that with the crux of the book which is the story of the bravery and creativity and survival skills of Antonina, the zoo keeper's wife, and the underground activities of Jan, her husband. Their story is surrounded by the amazing stories of the people of Poland who risked everything to save those at risk. The bravery and ingenuity and humanity wouldn't be believed if this was a book of fiction.

I feel enriched in having read this book and having my eyes opened to their story.

Whether you like animals or not, this is an amazing true story about WWII in the Warsaw Zoo. Couldn't put it down--fantastic character descriptions and events in living detail. What amazing people--very inspirational!

The Zookeeper's Wife was an interesting piece of work. A lovely story that read like investigative or textbook writing.

I am only giving this book 3 stars because the research is fantastic and the story needs to be told. However I put the book down after merely 65 pages. The first chapter was excellent; told from the Zookeeper's Wife's point of view and well written. After that it was a mix of quotes from what I assume are diaries and historical research. I would rather read the diaries than this disjointed tale. Very disappointed as I saved this book to read on vacation.