Book Review: 'The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story' by Diane Ackerman

✰✰✰✰½ Antonina Zabinski loved living and working at the Warsaw Zoo. Described as a housewife, a mother, and a zookeeper, Antonina's magical life in the Warsaw Zoo was everything she dreamed of until the Germans invaded Poland in 1939.

As fear descended upon Poland, Antonina’s husband, Jan, couldn’t let people or animals suffer and wanted to help as many Jews as possible. Together, the couple devised a plan using the zoo as camouflage to hide people. 

Overseeing daily life at the zoo was Antonina’s job. A woman of opposites: empathy and bravery, innocence and fierce protector, Antonina kept their Guests hidden and safe. She never revealed her fears or made anyone feel unworthy. Remarkably courageous and dedicated, Antonina wove a web of lies and managed to keep everyone fed.

As they confronted many challenges along the way, the Zabinskis were a bright light in the darkness of war.

The Bottom Line: What makes this book different from some other books about the Holocaust is the focus on compassion and self-sacrifice. The Zabinski family were in a special position to help others despite the personal risks involved. 

As a naturalist, author Diane Ackerman brings an unique perspective to her writing, which helps her convey relationships between organisms and their environment. Besides telling the story of the Zabinski family and their heroic actions, this book also includes the stories about other historical figures during that time.

Highly recommended as significant reading for those interested in understanding history, war, human behavior, and animal behavior.

Book Club Notes: Overall our group enjoyed the book far more than the movie. Although the movie was cast well, there was too much fiction added to a story that is already suspenseful and heroic. As far as ratings go, on a scale of 1 - 5, the book garnered an average of 4.75, while the movie barely averaged 3. Recommended for book clubs interested in history, biography, World War II, and inspiration. As a bonus, discussion questions are plentiful online.

Details: The Zookeeper’s Wife: A War Story by Diane Ackerman. Paperback published by W. W. Norton & Company in 2007. 368 p. ISBN: 978-0-393-33306-0