Bobscopatz's Reviews > The Zookeeper's Wife

I enjoyed this book very much. I have read quite a bit of history and several stories/books from the perspective of people trying to escape Nazi brutality. This book has some very interesting and unique features. The focus on a particular family, though not unique, is much appreciated. It also describes many of the events from an eye witness perspective. There are a few points where the attempt to make it into a "novel" competes with the author's attempt to remain within the bounds of her relation of history. It can be jarring at times, but certainly forgivable. It's difficult to write about historic figures (even those whose stories aren't already well known).

I think this book is most impressive in detailing the lunacy of the Nazi perspective. They were brutal and idiotic, and this book makes the point in such a clear way. I like that about it.

I ended up being impressed overall. This is NOT a work of historical fiction, but neither is it pure history or pure fiction. It's an odd mix. Go into it knowing that not everything in here is proven or backed up by diary entries and recollections from later interviews, and it'll probably go down well. If you want guaranteed veracity, perhaps better find another source.