This is not supposed to be a book review. I just love to talk about the books that I read - especially the good ones!
The Zookeeper’s Wife
By: Diane Ackerman
Diane Ackerman blends her voice and the words of Antonina Zabinski (taken from her beautifully written journal) to describe the horrors of Warsaw, Poland during Nazi occupation. The civilians that somehow survived within the hollows of a bombed city and the persecution the Jews in the Ghetto endured over five long years of war. The reader is exposed to the struggles and fear of everyday life during these wartorn years for the civilians within the bombed out city and for the Jewish population forced into Europe’s biggest Ghetto. And yet, somehow a lightness and warmth comes through the pages as well. The loving relationships and strong characters that develop in times of war will consume you as you feel a part of their world. I found myself thinking about the Zabinskis and their ‘guests’ even when I wasn’t reading the book. The Zabinski family was one of many whose bravery, ingenuity, kindness and sheer tenacity saved the loves of over 300 people from being sent to Nazi concentration or death camps.
The Zookeeper's Wife found the perfect balance between beautiful writing and tireless research that provides a close and intimate glimpse into the every day lives of civilians during WWII. Obviously, I am slightly biased towards original WWII books, but this book is just wonderful!
I dog-eared this page...
“Once its sprightly melody had been a favourite of hers, but war plays havoc on sensory memories as the sheer intensity of each moment, the rolling adrenaline and fast pulse, drive memories deeper, embed every small detail, and make events unforgettable. While that can strengthen friendship and love, it can also taint sensory treasures like music. By associating any tune with danger, one never again hears it without adrenaline pounding as memory hits consciousness followed by a jolt of fear. She was right to wonder. As she said, “It’s a terrific way to ruin great music.” (Ackerman, 179)
The Zookeeper's Wife = CPD (couldn’t put it down)
My highly academic book rating scale:
‘meh’ - I finished the book; but it didn’t pull me in.
liked it - I enjoyed reading it, but I will give the book away after finishing it.
loved it - This is a book that captivated me and I will recommend to my ‘book friends’ (all readers have these friends who have the same taste in books as you)
couldn’t put it down - This book sucked me into its world and had me waking up early or staying up late to spend more time with the characters.
all-time favourite - Every once in a while a book will come along and blow your mind and knock you off your feet. A book that makes you look at everything differently and stay in your thoughts years or decades down the road. They are the books that get prime real estate on the bookshelf.
Since I no longer live at home for my mom to leave books on my bed I love that you recommend books! I may have to look into this one - after spending a week in Poland I have become more engaged about what has gone on there in the last century. I learned I know very little about history and have become significantly more curious :)
ReplyDelete