A review by carrie562
The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman

informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

3.0

This book was hard for me to rate, because the parts where Ackerman settles in and lets the events unfold are excellent — the Żabińskis performed harrowing acts of bravery and saved dozens of people at great risk to themselves. Antonina clearly left a well-written and reflective journal behind, from which Ackerman constructs conversations and brings scenes to life. Where the book falters is that too often, Ackerman spins off from the story into fanciful flights of imagination that quickly become frustrating. She’s also too enamored of her own poetic descriptions and rather than making me feel like I’m in the scene, it just felt self-indulgent.