The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story by Diane Ackerman

I've finished The Messenger by Jan Burke. I liked it. It started out much stronger then it ended. I really like the story line - a man on his death bed at the battle of Waterloo, makes a deal with a stranger in order to live. In the deal, he becomes a messenger for those on their own deathbeds who are unable to speak final, necessary words to their loved ones. The cost for the Messenger, however is immortality. Two hundred years later, sick of wandering through life without being able to make any long-term connections with people (they would notice after several years that he still looks 24), he begins wishing to be dead himself. It is just then (when our story takes place) that he realizes he may just get his wish. Trouble, of course, ensues. I won't say any more - I don't want to ruin it. The problem with this novel was the feeling that the story was rushed. There were parts that I had to re-read because they didn't make a lot of sense. All in all, however, it was enjoyable. I'd call it a "Pretty good, might-as-well-read book".

I'm now on to a piece of non-fiction dealing with the Holocaust. This one is about Jan Zabinski, the director of the Warsaw Zoo, and his wife, Antonina. Together, with the help of their son they sheltered 300 Jews as well as Polish resisters in their villa and in the empty animal cages and sheds of their zoo. Diane Ackerman has used Antonina's diary to assist in creating this book. It sounds pretty amazing and has gotten great reviews. I'm always fascinated too by the people who stood up to Nazi hatred during the Holocaust and tried to do the right thing. I'll let you know.