2.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an early copy of this book.

Reading this felt like a chore. I found myself counting down the pages, and if I ask myself now whether I enjoyed the experience, the answer would be no. In hindsight, I should have DNF'ed it, but since it was a NetGalley book, I wanted to give my feedback to maintain my account's review ratio.

I'm especially critical when books are set in the Netherlands, as I find it frustrating when there's misinformation about the language or culture of my home country. This book got several things wrong, including the use of a non-existent word and some odd language choices.

I believe this book could have been much better with a different agent or publisher. The pacing was off, with abrupt time jumps that skipped months in a single sentence. The villains in both POVs were one-dimensional and didn't feel necessary to the plot. It all felt too fictionalized for a historical fiction novel based on real events. There’s definitely a compelling story at the core, but the way the author handled it stripped away much of its authenticity.

Andrea really got under my skin, she felt too woke. Most of the characters in the present-day timeline rubbed me the wrong way. The "thriller" element in the modern day timeline also didn’t work for me. The modern timeline is totally made up, and I don't know why it's in there. If its purpose is to give the story of Douwe some modern-day closure, it's not doing well at that task. The characters' actions were often either nonsensical or outright illegal. The part set in London was especially hard to take seriously, and I found it laughable at times.

I'm a huge history fan especially of the unknown tidbits. I'm not as much of a fan of historical fiction with special anger towards fanciful reads set in Victorian England - so this one was a bit hot and cold for me.
I think this was really the best format to tell the story. So much is unknown or presumed about Clara and her keeper. However, there are also a lot of tropes and gotchas in the book. Everyone is treated very nicely and humanely. We factually know that safety and security were fleeting for many people: women, non-whites, indigent and this while the world was being colonised by rapists and murderers and thieves. So, to tell a bright, cheery story with a romance and everyone dying of natural causes felt narrow minded to me.
Looking forward to more developed writing from the author in the future. I'll certainly be reading more about Clara. Be sure to look up the artwork!

Enthralling plot, believable and likable characters, and fascinating history!
A good storyline can capture my attention easily, but to keep it, a book needs good characters. I have an inquiring mind, and a novel that also teaches me something ticks off ALL of my reading pleasures.
The Rhino Keeper opens with a shocking discovery by Andrea, a contemporary American history major, that causes her to flee her current environment to study in Leiden. While doing her research there, she discovers records involving Clara, a rhinoceros from eighteenth-century India who went on a tour of Europe with her handler Douwemoot van der Meer. The story alternates between Andrea’s experiences and Clara’s journey with Douwe and his companion Zubin, a young Indian boy. This kind of shifting structure is popular today but often does not really work well. In The Rhino Keeper it is beautifully done, and I felt fully invested in both eras. Andrea encounters some serious challenges to her work, especially after she discovers an old grave with what appears to be a rhino carved on its gravestone. Douwe and Clara have adventures throughout Europe but also face serious danger as a priest tries to destroy the rhinoceros.
The characters in both eras were both believable and likable. I realized just how much I was drawn to them when Andrea discovers Douwe’s grave, and I felt a good deal of sadness at his death… three hundred years after the fact. Clara also has a bit of personality---if she were not so big, she sounds like a nice pet!
Much as I enjoy a good story, I also like to learn about historical periods I do not hear about often. The Rhino Keeper painted a wonderful picture of the mid-eighteenth century from India to Europe and from a poor boy in India to the reigning monarchs, who were as fascinated by Clara as the common people. Clara was real! To give you a sense of the accuracy in the book, there is mention of a painting of Clara by Jean-Baptiste Ourdy. Just for the heck of it, I looked up Ourdy, and, indeed, found a lovely painting of Clara the Rhinoceros online. Look it up! There is an informative Author’s Note at the end to acknowledge where the book engages in fiction to fill in gaps in available historical information. I also learned a bit about rhinoceroses. Clara weighed over four thousand pounds! WOW!
It is hard to believe that this is Jillian Forsberg’s first book. Please write another soon, Jillian.
I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley and History Through Fiction (a publisher I was familiar with but will be exploring further!).

The beautiful cover and the title drew me in, but the story kept me turning the page! I never knew there had been a rhino being put on display and cared for through out Europe in the 1700s. The rhino part was true, but the story is fictionalized about how Ship captain Douwemout van der Meer and the faithful Zubin toured around with Clara the Rhino around to royalty and cities. The story had to be mostly fictionalized because there were no journals or documentation to follow in the research, per the author notes. The other story line was present day historians finding Douwemout van der Meer's grave in Holland. This one had some mystery and a hint of romance. Both plots were compelling with interesting and well developed characters. Douwemout van der Meer and Zubin were great together as a blended family. Clara had a fun and captivating personality. In the present day story, Andrea fled from her boyfriend and his family to study in Holland to be a part of the project to research and preserve the very old graves next to the river that threatened to overtake them. Once the research team realized they found the Captain's grave, the action and quest began in earnest.
I really enjoyed both story lines. I read historical fiction to learn new parts of history and I'm so glad I learned that Clara spread joy to many so long ago. I definitely recommend this for those that like to learn obscure pieces of the past.
#TheRhinoKeeper #NetGalley
Thank you Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

I love historical novels, and especially historical novels with a bit of an edge, and that's what this book had. It had everything I want from an historical novel but with some added surprises I hadn't read before.

It is based on a true story, and it was a story I knew nothing about and so I definitely went down one or two Google blakc holes.

We explore the book via two time periods: the modern item, and the 1740s. Which was fascinating. Each period is given the same amount of time which means you get to invest in the individual stories as well as the combined. Normally in such a book, I like the older scenes more, and whilst that may have had the edge here, I genuinely think I liked both equally. Jillian had clearly put the same amount of care into both.

I normally make notes for my review as I'm reading it as I'll never remember it all once I'm finished, but I struggled to do that here. Mainly because I couldn't tear myself away from it, but also because I couldn't quite explain just how beautiful this book is. It's so tender and sympathetic and sensitive and just perfect.

We have our main character in the 1700s which is Douwemout van der Meer, and our main modern character is Andrea. Andrea is a wonderful character. She's a bit timid and she's gone through a rough time, but she's so relatable and the passion she has for her field of story is commendable and inspiring. I loved her story. And Douwemout in the 1700s...it can be hard as a modern-day woman to attach to a 300-year-old male, but he's as recognisable and relatable and fantastic as Andrea. He clearly has love for this rhino and for his friends and those in his care and I loved him, and am definitely going to do some more research into his real story.

And obviously we have Clara the rhino, who steals every scene. We see her through a range of ages and, whilst I don't know anything about Jillian's background, I think it's quite obvious that she either has animal experience, or has done some incredible research because Clara is so life-like and is a star in herself.

Something I really enjoyed was the sense of the unknown. We're so used to seeing rhinos that often that they don't hold that special place in our heart, because they're in every zoo and on the telly. We end up forgetting that at one point in time - not that long ago, relatively - no-one knew what a rhino looked like and so there was this amazing sense of wonder and it was great to revisit that.

I was definitely not expecting to cry at it. I won't spoil it by saying why, but there are most definitely some really touching bits that brought upon tears.

I have read A LOT of historical novels. It's one of my favourite genres. But I have never read anything like this. It's so moving in its beauty and sometimes in its harshness, it's just exquisite. I will definitely be shouting about this book for a very long time. I cannot say anything negative about it, other than I wish it was longer so I didn't have to part from it so soon.

I really enjoyed this tale of Clara, the Indian rhinoceros, and her journey through Europe in the 1700s. The author juxtaposed Clara's adventures with those of modern-day Andrea, a student in Leiden who discovers the story of Clara and her owner. The back-and-forth aspect of the dueling plots set a nice pace for the challenges and surprises that each cast of characters (historical and modern) faced. I do wish there had been more of a backstory for Andrea, as aspects of her personality were given to us (an aversion to taxidermied animals, a poverty-stricken upbringing) without being explained. Overall, though, I would definitely recommend this historical fiction!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and I'm willingly leaving a review
Highly entertaining and believable, sometimes scary, sometimes sad, with a bit of romance in each era, the flow from one to the other is easy-going. Contains many interesting facts about rhinos. My big, and probably only, complaint is that there are too many repeats about different information, all concerning the people, the animals, the buildings, etc. such as Andrea's visualizations or how Leiden changed the medical care more than anywhere else. I had to laugh at some point. Tanners booth do not smell sweet, or of soft hides; they smell awful because of putrefying hides and other odors that come with the process of making leather. There is no closure about Jake. The author's notes are worth reading.

This beautiful novel is steeped in fact. It tells of Clara, an African rhinoceros, who traveled with the sea captain who purchased her, cared for her, and loved her. It’s a mystery and a love story told in dual timelines. It is not to be missed. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader in exchange for my review.

I absolutely loved this book! I adore stories about little known true individuals in history, and Douwe was an outstanding person to learn about. His journey with Clara & Zubin was harrowing, heartwarming, and heartbreaking all at once. His story was woven in with Andrea's adventure in Holland in a really engaging way. I plan to choose this book for the historical fiction book club that I host once the book is released! Thank you for sharing an ARC with me!

Five big animal loving stars.
The Rhino Keeper employs the typical dual timeline plot, but oh, what a unique topic! In 1746, a Dutch sea captain purchased a baby rhino in India. Forced to leave Calcutta, he takes “Clara” back to Europe, showing her off to interested crowds, both the high and the low. Meanwhile, an American college student has come to Holland, helping with the necessary transfer of a historic graveyard. First she finds a document with the drawing of a rhino, then at the graveyard, an unusual gravestone.
The historic story is based on the real life man and rhino. I was much more invested in this story than the present day one, which is really more a mechanism to move the story forward. But I just fell in love with Clara, Douwe, her owner and Zubin, the young boy who cared for her. Labrador retrievers have what is known as a “lab lean”, when the dog insists on leaning into you. Imagine what it was like to have a rhino doing the same?
This is a story that animal lovers will just adore. The characters are richly drawn and their love for Clara just shines through. Forsberg gives the reader an excellent sense of Clara - her stubbornness, her love of food and her connection with her humans. Forsberg also does a great job of giving you a good sense of the time and various places. The mid 18th century was the time of enlightenment and Clara was a prime example that the world included more than what most people had seen. But while many found her a miracle and proof of God’s fascinating creation, others thought she was one of Satan’s creations designed to turn heads away from God.
There’s a real sense of tension here. I had to keep myself from googling to learn Clara’s fate and see how long she survived. Flip side, I felt the big scene in the modern day felt contrived and forced. But I loved the historic story so much, I’m still awarding this five stars.
My thanks to Netgalley and History Through Fiction, LLC for an advance copy of this book.

This is a novel loosely based in fact that can make some of us cry at parts of it. The fascination with exotic animals through the centuries has brought out the best and the worst of the populations. This story is told by the rhino keeper of the eighteenth century and also by the very sensitive student with a photographic memory in the twenty-first. It chooses one exotic who was orphaned by poachers and loved by the keeper who did make money from displaying him, but it cost an awful lot just to keep him fed and hydrated. The story is exceptionally well written and each of the characters is as realistic as can be. I want to get the audio when it comes out.
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from History Through Fiction | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles via NetGalley. Thank you! Avail Oct 22, 2024

I adored this historical fiction story about the journey of a Dutch captain, an Indian boy. And an orphaned rhinoceros named Clara. They are devoted to each other and it’s a wonderful story to read.
I enjoyed the switch between present day and eighteenth century timelines. I was engrossed in each story but of course Clara’s life is why we’re here. A special shoutout to her companion, Barkari, the goat. They are BFFs after all.
Highly recommend!

Dutch sea captain Douwemout van der Meer sailed to Calcutta aboard the Knappenhof, on his last voyage for the Dutch East India Company he returned home to Rotterdam, with his cargo hold filled with luxury goods, and on the deck he had a baby orphaned Indian rhinoceros he saved. Douwe and his young friend Zubin toured Europe with Clara, people had never seen a rhino before, they know she’s will be in danger when she reaches adulthood, her horn will be 22.5 inches long and even a priest thinks she’s evil and people should follow god and not creatures.

The story has a dual timeline, its starts in 1740, told mainly from Douwemout van der Meer point of views and later in 2022 from animal lover and college student Andrea Clarkson’s.

American Andrea Clarkson arrives in Holland after a failed marriage proposal, she’s staying in Leiden and she finds hidden in secret desk drawers two hundred and eighty year old documents. As part of her Historical studies she and her colleagues are relocating eighteenth-century graves from being flooded and one of the markers has an animal carved into it and it’s a rhinoceros. Angela want's to solve the mystery of why the headstone has a rhino on it and she discovers the horns are still valuable and people would do anything to get their hands on one.

I received a copy of The Rhino Keeper from NetGalley and History Through Fiction in exchange for an honest review. The author Jillian Forsberg has done considerable research to write an interesting narrative based around the true story of a Dutch sea captain and an orphaned rhinoceros he saved and toured Europe with. Clara was famous, poems and songs were written about her, and she was painted by artists and patted by royals.

The Rhino Keeper is a story about exotic and rare animals and the impact they had on people and still do. An uplifting and hope filled tale for animal lovers and I really liked the parts set in the 18th century, and it’s truly amazing and fascinating how they managed to get a rhino to Holland and I highly recommend this book and five stars from me.

I received a temporary digital copy of The Rhino Keeper by Jillian Forsberg from NetGalley, History Through Fiction and the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Douwemout van der Meer, ship captain, buys an Indian rhinoceros, in turn saving her from a terrible fate in her homeland. With the assistance of Zubin, a young Indian orphan, Douwe and his Indian rhino, Clara travel to Europe. Douwe wants to share the joy of Clara and to educate Europeans with a real rhinoceros, a species never seen in Europe prior to 1740. Two hundred and eighty years later, Andrea Clarkson uncovers Douwe's grave, but missing archival records and a disturbed grave-site lead Andrea and her classmate on a mission to rescue Clara's horn, and in turn, the memory of Clara and Douwe.

I always find with two-timeline stories, there is always a stronger story and The Rhino Keeper is no different. I fell in love with the story of Clara and her travels with Douwe and Zubin, which led to my five star rating. Andrea's story felt forced; I didn't truly understand her trauma with her boyfriend's family's game collection as the entire scenario last what appeared to be five minutes? I think Forsberg could flesh that situation out further to help the reader understand her fears and in turn, her motivations throughout the story. I applaud Forsberg for her research into Clara and Douwe's amazing journey, but wish a little more time was spent fleshing out Andrea's storyline. The Rhino Keeper is still a must read for fall 2024.

“The Rhino Keeper” by Jillian Forsberg is a deeply moving and masterfully written historical fiction that captures the essence of courage, compassion, and the unbreakable bond between humans and animals. From the very first page, Forsberg immerses the reader in the world of adventure, love, and companionship across the globe with visits to kingdoms and palaces near and far, weaving a past and present narrative that is both gripping, heartfelt, and full of intrigue.

The story centers on sea Captain Douwemout van de Meer (Douwe), who becomes the lovingly bonded guardian of an orphaned rhinoceros calf, named Clara. Known for transporting livestock cargo across the seas, he was offered a proposition to transport this Behemoth calf orphaned when her mother was killed for her magical horn. As Douwe falls in love with the animal, he sees that he can educate the world that she is more than just a “magical horn” to poach.

Forsberg’s vivid descriptions of the Indian rhinoceros and their adventures across land and sea are breathtaking, painting a picture of its raw beauty and the dangers that lurk within. The author’s ability to bring the animal world (and history) to life is nothing short of extraordinary, making the reader feel as though they are walking alongside Douwe and his beloved rhino.

What truly sets “The Rhino Keeper” apart is its emotional depth. The bond between Douwe, Zubin, and the rhino is portrayed with such tenderness and authenticity that it’s impossible not to be moved.

The characters in this novel are richly developed, multidimensional, and complex, with Douwe standing out as a strong, empathetic protagonist from the historical side and Andrea from the present side. Andrea’s journey of self-discovery, her unwavering commitment to her values, and her love of history and animals make her a character that readers will root for until the very end.

This is a must-read for anyone who loves animals, historical fiction, or simply a beautifully told story. Jillian Forsberg has crafted a novel that is not only entertaining but also deeply poetic leaving a lasting impact long after the final page is turned. I truly loved this book!

Thank you #NetGalley, #jillianForsberg, and #HistoryThroughFiction for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A fascinating story that should have been presented with writing quality to equal the dramatic events. Sadly, that was not the case in my opinion. Disjointed sequences, non-sequiters, and details that added words but not substance were abundant. As much as I wanted to finish this book to learn about the history and outcome, I couldn't do it.

Set in two timelines, the mid-1700’s and the 21st century, this is a story which is based on fact - at least the 1700’s where Clara - a female Indian rhinoceros, an anomaly for that that period in time is based, came to fame after a sea captain, Douwemout van der Meer, saved her from a much worse fate.

Based on the true story of Clara and her journeys from place to place, from the most remote and poverty stricken areas, to being introduced to the King and Queen. There are moments, especially on sea, that she must adjust to, but she remains watched over by her provider, as she watches over him, as well.

In the 21st century, this begins with the discovery of a tombstone which draws the attention of those who are in charge of caring for those whose current residence needs to be moved.

This is a very moving and beautiful story, overall, with moments of danger, but also a lifetime of love, and an ode to the bond of humans and the animals they share their lives and love with.


Pub Date: 22 Oct 2024


Many thanks for the ARC provided by History Through Fiction

Rhino Keeper is a factually based, seriously charming, and an educational mystery. Highly recommended!
I fell in love with Clara. In 1741–1758, Clara, a female Indian rhinoceros became famous for touring Europe and is featured in oil paintings.
Douwe and she faced the hazards of long distance sailing, surviving the treacherous Cape of Good Hope, adverse climate, and interacted with human visitors on her nearly 20 year tour.

The author writes alternating chapters, then and now to present Clara’s story then (18th century) and a current museum mystery (21st century).

Douwemout van der Meer, sea captain and bonded to Clara, is likable and a real person. This historical fiction story is a fascinating and mesmerizing novel about loyalty, love and justice. An excellent author’s note at the conclusion provides clarity and recommendations for further reading.

Thanks to NetGalley and History Through Fiction for this enchanting ARC preview.

The part of the story revolving around the rhino keeper was fabulous. The pacing and character building were excellent; the story fascinating. On the other hand the story revolving around the present-day student, was much weaker. I felt that the characters were washed out and the story didn’t add much. But because it seemed that much more of the book was about the rhino keeper, the book was still well worth reading. Thank you to Netgalley and History Through Fiction for the advance reader copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed "The Rhino Keeper." The cover is exquisite, and the narrative is truly engaging.

I must confess that I found Andrea's character unappealing, and I did not reconcile with her by the conclusion. I find the trauma she went through to be slightly exaggerated given the circumstances. Nevertheless, as a history student myself, I appreciated her pursuit of her career goals and I respected her for that. I do wonder if there could have been a few extra pages giving a more thorough background of her previous relationship seeing as it influenced a significant part of her character?

I was deeply drawn to Douwe's storyline and character. Douwe exhibited considerable charm, and I appreciated the relationship dynamics he established. The intricate details that formed the setting for the 1700s were excellently illustrated. Interestingly, I envisioned Douwe as an African gentleman, and upon conducting a Google search, I was quite taken aback by his actual appearance.

The way Jillian Forsberg seamlessly blended historical facts with fictional elements to fill the story was truly impressive. I found myself completely engrossed in the world she created. I will definitely be recommending this book to all of my fellow readers.