Inspired by true story of Denise Weston Austin. So called the “elephant angel.”

Belfast, N Ireland, 1940. An orphaned elephant leaves an island of Ceylon to make a new home at Bellevue Zoo. At the docks, Hettie Quin, zookeeper, meets a three-year-old elephant named Violet. Violet becomes Hattie’s favorite charge. They bond. Hattie cares for Violet. And Violet trusts Hettie. When bombs fall on Belfast and the city becomes an inferno, people rush to shelters and Hettie runs to the zoo where animals are scared and agitated. Hattie calms Violet.

What is special about this story is the warmness created from the very first pages between Hattie and Violet. But there is much more to the story. I’d say majority of the story is character development of Hettie, her family, friends and others. It makes the story very dynamic. And it is a very interesting story.

I warmed up to the main character right away. After losing her sister and the abandonment of her father, she finds solace in caring for the young elephant. She feels more comfortable with the animals than people. She works hard to be the first female zookeeper.

It was very interesting to get a glimpse at people’s minds. How some Irelanders viewed Nazi. They wanted to be rid of Brits for good from Northern Ireland, thus they’d welcome Germans with open arms. Also, the rationing of food affecting not only humans, but also the animals at the zoo. And how that further affected some decisions in handling the animals at the zoo.

When the city is bombed, you can see the massive destruction as buildings are turned to rubble. You can feel the helplessness, when trying to find someone who is missing. And the heart-wrenching effects on animals at the zoo. The rescue efforts of Violet kept me on edge.

Richly imagined and vividly presented. There is so much deepness and liveliness in descriptions. Thus, resulting in a very vibrant story with characters you deeply care for and prose you greatly enjoy.

P.S. This brief article gives an inspiration behind many stories and a movie: http://www.belfastzoo.co.uk/about-us/...

‘The Elephant of Belfast’ by S. Kirk Walsh to be published April 6, 2021, is a captivating and heartbreaking story based on a true account. Set in Belfast during the Blitz in April 1941, it’s the tale of a young female zookeeper’s courage and devotion to saving an Indian elephant in her care.

From the moment Violet, a 3-year-old and 3411-pound orphan arrives at the Harland and Wolfe Shipyards in Belfast, Hettie Quin is determined to become her caregiver. In an effort to cope with pain and loss, Hettie has asked for full-time work from her boss, Mr. Christie, at the Bellevue Zoo. Willing to take a chance on a female zookeeper after many of his male employees leave for war, Mr. Christie watches the growing dependence between Hettie and Violet as they rely on each other for survival and solace. One night in April 1941, 674 bombs are dropped on Belfast over a 5-hour period and Hettie is desperate to do whatever she can to save Violet.

This is more than just a story about a girl and an elephant. It’s about life in Belfast during the Blitz and a young girl’s coming of age, intertwined with a complicated story about love, loss, grief and resilience. As you’d expect from any story set in Belfast at this time, there’s IRA involvement showcasing the desire to unite Ireland. I was born in Belfast and loved reading about street names and places I know about, in addition to the Irish expressions I’d grown up using. This is a well-researched book based on the life of Denise Austin brought to remembrance and celebrated for the 75th anniversary of the Belfast Zoo.

Thanks to S. Kirk Walsh, Counterpoint Press and Netgalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

For anyone who has a special connection with animals, this is a book for you.

Hettie is the only female zookeeper at the Belfast zoo in 1940. As Europe braces for war, the zoo prepares for the arrival of its newest animal, Violet, a three year old elephant. Hettie and Violet soon build a bond, one that joins them as family when Hettie loses her own family. When the bombs start falling, keeping Violet safe is all that matters to Hettie. In many ways they are able save each other.

As an animal person, I immediately identified with Hettie. Some people just have a better rapport with animals than they do people and there’s nothing like the unconditional love from an animal. This book is quite emotional and there were parts that I definitely teared up at but i also admire Hettie’s strength, bravery and compassion.

Thank you NetGalley and s Kirk Walsh for the arc. I loved everything about this Page turner.