The Zookeeper's Wife

A War Story

By: Diane Ackerman

Narrated by: Suzanne Toren

Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times bestseller now a major motion picture starring Jessica Chastain.

A true story in which the keepers of the Warsaw Zoo saved hundreds of people from Nazi hands.

Jan and Antonina Zabinski were Polish Christian zookeepers horrified by Nazi racism, who managed to save over three hundred people. Yet their story has fallen between the seams of history.

Drawing on Antonina’s diary and other historical sources, bestselling naturalist Diane Ackerman vividly re-creates Antonina’s life as “the zookeeper’s wife,” responsible for her own family, the zoo animals, and their “guests”: resistance activists and refugee Jews, many of whom Jan had smuggled from the Warsaw Ghetto.

Jan led a cell of saboteurs, and the Zabinski’s young son risked his life carrying food to the guests, while also tending to an eccentric array of creatures in the house: pigs, hare, muskrat, foxes, and more. With hidden people having animal names and pet animals having human names, it’s a small wonder the zoo’s code name became “The House under a Crazy Star.” Yet there is more to this story than a colorful cast. With her exquisite sensitivity to the natural world, Ackerman explores the role of nature in both kindness and savagery, and she unravels the fascinating and disturbing obsession at the core of Nazism: both a worship of nature and its violation, as humans sought to control the genome of the entire planet.

©2007 Diane Ackerman (P)2007 BBC Audiobooks America

Critic reviews

"Ackerman's writing is viscerally evocative, as in her description of the effects of the German bombing of the zoo area....This suspenseful beautifully crafted story deserves a wide readership." ( Publishers Weekly)
"Ackerman's affecting telling of the heroic Zabinskis' dramatic story illuminates the profound connection between humankind and nature, and celebrates life's beauty, mystery, and tenacity." ( Booklist)

More like a documentry

The flow of the book was a little disjointed as the information was taken from journals and historical documents. It was very interesting, however, and made me have great respect for the 'rescuers' and their bravery. The reader did a good job with lots of different accents.

Best Book of my Year

This was one of the best books i have listened to in years. I couldn't stop listening. My mind kept imagining what it must have been like for this family during World War II. This book had me sitting on the edge of my seat all the way through. I am sure this will be a movie one of these days. I sure hope so!

Bittersweet Trip to this Zoo

I really enjoyed learning more about the relationship between Nazi Germany and Poland during the war. Although what happened is horrific, the bravery shown by the Zookeepers was inspiring. They risked their lives to help their Jewish friends and neighbors. I'm sorry for the loss of animal life but grateful that they were able to share their shelters to save humans. It was ingenious! A great history lesson for all!

Well done

I saw the movie and wondered how close to the book it was. They are close but the book is better. The reader is really what makes this a great listen.

Outstanding and sadly relevant to today

The issue immigration out of Nazi controlled Poland is relevant today as many people flee untenable situations. Beauty and hope are also present to help get past the truly sad parts. Well written.

Great read!

This is a well-rounded non-fictional account of Warsaw during WWII with a ribbon of memoir of Antonina and her family woven throughout. I learned so much. Don’t go into this book with hope of a story to get lost in, but as an informational account. I did enjoy it with these perspectives in mind.

My Polish Roots

Growing up in the 70's, I was raised to know I was Polish, to know my Grandma lived trying to cover up being Polish and my Mom sharing only bits & pieces of her upbringing that was influenced by her Polish grandparents. This story of how the Polish people faught the war along with the influction of Polish words & conversations, gave me a glimpse into lost clues of my heritage. I feel more Polish as well as proud to be Polish. I could connect small pieces of everyday life to my Mom's childhood.

ugggh

not a fan of this book at all.
why was a zoo more important than saving their own family?

Loved it!

I really enjoyed this book! It’s a great read for a history buff and or a animal lover. I highly recommend it!

Fascinating true story of Poland in WW II!

I liked the book in part because this is a segment of the war that I know little about. It opened doors to that Polish experience. The book is based on the journals and writings of two real people--the zookeeper of the Warsaw zoo and his magnificent and brave wife. If there is a downside, it is that the author takes many side trips into areas of animal behavior and evolutionary discussion. She is making connections between animals and humans--or sub-humans, in some cases, but it got rather tiring. Overall, however, I enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend it.