The Zookeeper's Wife : a war Story

Locations
Call Number: BOCD 940.531 Ac
On Shelf At: Downtown Library

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	BOCD 940.531 Ac	4-week checkout	On Shelf

Compact discs.
Read by Suzanne Toren.
When Germany invaded Poland, 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 the 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 and refusing to give in to the penetrating fear of discovery, even as Europe crumbled around her.

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COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Fascinating submitted by kbcmmom on July 24, 2020, 10:37am I enjoyed the creativity of the characters and strength based approach of the writing regarding a truly horrific experience. I've read this through twice and listened to the audio book a third time. I found new insight each time.

Read the book in print and audio! submitted by mickplu on June 14, 2022, 7:22am I own the book in print but borrowed the audio version from the library. I do highly recommend the print version as it contains photos and is much easier to follow. Well researched account of a couple who along with their two children, run a zoo. Through the backdrop of the zoo, they save the lives of many Jewish people by hiding them from the Nazi's. Although this is obviously set in one of the most tragic times in history, the anecdotes of the many pets helps to lighten it a bit without taking away from the cruelty of the times.