Sunday, March 06, 2011

Book 4: The Zoo Keeper’s Wife: A War Story

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Synopsis:

When Germany invaded Poland, Stuka bombers devastated Warsaw—and the city's zoo along with it. With most of their animals dead, zookeepers Jan and Antonina Zabinski began smuggling Jews into empty cages. Another dozen "guests" hid inside the Zabinskis' villa, emerging after dark for dinner, socializing, and, during rare moments of calm, piano concerts. Jan, active in the Polish resistance, kept ammunition buried in the elephant enclosure and stashed explosives in the animal hospital. Meanwhile, Antonina kept her unusual household afloat, caring for both its human and its animal inhabitants—otters, a badger, hyena pups, lynxes.

A fascinating true story of strength and courage.  And the story itself is amazing to read and know that amidst the craziness and fear that must have enveloped all of Warsaw that good, true people existed and did what they felt was right – no matter what the consequences might be.  The author used Antonia’s diaries to piece together their story and interviewed a few remaining Jews that had stayed in the zoo.  But to be honest, I became bored of all the animal references.  Antonia was in fact a zoologist, so her diary entries must have reflected those interests of hers – but I felt like it was brought to attention in the book a bit too much.  The animals sleeping habits, feeding, sounds, etc…. a bit over-written in those areas.  Ackerman her self comes from a scientific background and has previously written several books about nature, science and animals. 

3 of 5 stars

1 Comments:

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