The Berlin Zookeeper by Anna Stuart-historical/contemporary fiction-
Inspired by a true story this tells the story of Beth who has recently been appointed
a veterinary position at Berlin Zoo. She discovers that her grandmother was not
blood, her now deceased mother having been adopted, or rather “ gifted”. She
always knew that there was a link to the zoo and being here now enables her to
investigate further. Back in 1943 the war has hit hard and a group of women are
doing their best to look after the animals despite the bombings. Ten year old
Adelaide is keen on the animals and helps her mother. When she becomes
orphaned Katherina takes her under her wing. Bethan realises that all the staff
know Ada well- she visits every day and rambles on about “ the babies” which
appears to be about the animals. Could she hold the key as to whom Beth’s
real grandmother was and what is the true story about the war years?
I enjoyed this, I’ve read several wartime books recently and this was a real
change. Not only the animal side but set in Berlin so a completely different
perspective to many war time stories which I find very interesting and a
wonderful way to learn a little history albeit through the eyes of fiction.
An interesting read, some history, animals, a smile and a
little romance along the way. Wonderful.
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Berlin Zoo, 1943: Ten-year-old Adelaide and her newborn sister are orphaned after a devastating night of bombing. Heartbroken and frightened, Adelaide runs to her mother’s closest friend, Katharina Heinroth, and the kind zookeeper takes the two little girls under her protection. As the bombing intensifies, Adelaide tries to shut out the horrors of war by caring for her tiny sister and playing with the adorable baby monkeys. But when Katharina organises a dangerous operation to enable children and animals to escape the battle-scarred city, something goes wrong. And Adelaide has to promise her adopted mother to keep a shocking secret. A secret that will change Adelaide’s life forever.
Berlin Zoo, 2019: Bethan Taylor notices the elderly lady sitting on the bench next to her seems confused, her thoughts flitting between past and present. Ada talks of her childhood, played out in an underground bunker beneath the animal enclosures during the war. As Ada’s story unfolds, Bethan is surprised to hear a name she recognises…
Katharina Heinroth is at the top of a list of German names Bethan found in a hidden compartment of her late mother’s jewellery box. Bethan’s father couldn’t tell her anything about the crumpled piece of paper and she’s been searching for the meaning ever since.
As the two women are brought together by the pain of the past can they help each other to heal? And after decades of silence, can Ada help Bethan to uncover a long-buried family mystery?
An unforgettable and heart-wrenching novel of a brave orphan girl and a shocking wartime secret. Inspired by a true WW2 story and perfect for fans of Orphan Train, The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Alice Network.
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