Audio format 🎧

This book covers the story of Clara, an Indian rhino that was transported from India to Europe in the 18th Century. In the current day timeline a student finds some hidden items in a secret compartment that alludes to a Rhino in Europe and she seeks to reveal why.

What I liked
🦏 Dual timeline storyline
🦏 Excellent audio narration
🦏 I found the historical (based on true story) element really fascinating

Overall I really enjoyed this audio book. From a story perspective I would have given this a 3.5 but the audio narration was excellent so I will bump this up to a 4/5.

Thank you to History Through Fiction | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks and Net Galley for a copy of this audiobook.

The Rhino Keeper is a beautifully written story by Jillian Forsberg based on a true story of a sea captain in the 18th century who travelled Europe with an Indian rhinoceros. Although, as Forsbear tells us, little of the story has survived, she has taken the bare bones of it and created a very compelling tale.

The story is divided into two timelines, 2022 when a young American student in Holland finds a very old document hidden in her dorm and 1740, when a sea captain, on a stopover in India, purchases a young rhinoceros named Clara and they, along with the young boy who has been caring for her, travel across Europe, displaying Clara to a mostly appreciative audience of both peasants and royalty. Along the way, the three bond as they experience adventures, hardships, dangers, but also joy over the next several years.

It is hard not to love a well-written animal story and The Rhino Keeper is a truly immersive and enjoyable tale that manages to touch on the reader’s emotions from laugh-out-loud humour at Clara’s antics, tension at some of the dangers they encounter, to a few moments that, at least for me, bring on a few tears. Yet, it never felt like emotional manipulation. A very enjoyable read for anyone who likes historical fiction or animal stories. I received an audiobook of this book narrated by Caroline Hewitt who does an exceptional job of bringing the story to life.

Thanks to Netgalley and History Through Fiction for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

My heart wants to give this book five stars for the end.

My head wants to give this book three stars because it draaaaaagged for the middle 50%.

So as a compromise, I’m giving it 4 stars.

Let’s start with the good: the ending. The bond between Douwa and Clara was amazing, and I’ll admit, I teared up at the end. We read books to feel, and this book made me feel… but only the last 5-10%. The frame story of Andrea was the place the author stretched the truth the most, and I loved it. The authors note at the end really tied it together, and helped sort fact from fiction.

The bad: it was too long by a third. I loved to hear about Douwa and Clara’s adventures, but it dragged. I seriously considered DNFing it several times around the 50% mark. Something kept me going, and I’m glad I did, but it could have used another round of edits. In hindsight, there is a huge difference between the totally fictive sections about Andrea, and the stories rooted in history about Douwa and Clara. It seems like the author got bogged down by the weight of history, and trying to tell a realistic story, and she prioritized realism over pacing. She does a wonderful time with her realism, and I appreciate that, but I wish I could recommend this book to more people.

Overall, I’m so glad I picked this up.

Thank you NetGalley for an audioARC of this wonderful story.

Thank you so much for letting listen to this audiobook. I enjoyed this story very much. It is very interesting ad and I liked the two different timelines.

I found the premise of this book intriguing; however, after reaching 35% of the way through, I lost interest in continuing. If the story had focused solely on the Dutch sea captain who brought Clara the rhino to Europe, I might have enjoyed it more. Unfortunately, the dual timeline structure detracted from my experience, as I did not find the modern-day storyline compelling. Additionally, I found the female main character in the contemporary part of the story to be quite annoying. I am giving this book 2 stars because I don’t believe it was poorly written; rather, the way the story was presented simply wasn’t for me.

Based off the true story of the first rhino to travel through Europe, I enjoyed the adventure and awe Clara brought to those who saw and met her. There were times I felt Clara was portrayed a bit like a domesticated pet with her actions and reactions and not so much as the wild animal she was, but I did enjoy the character she was in this story and the pure love her keepers had for her. The author’s note at the end of the audiobook was an appreciated addition.

What a great story about a man, a boy and a rhino. I just loved this book!

This was a book that I had no idea what to expect. This book has two timelines - 2022 college student in Holland and 1740 ship captain, boy and rhino. The boy and baby Indian Rhino named Clara both live in Calcutta when we meet them. The rhino is a pet and the boy takes care of her for the rich family that owns her. I had no idea that exotic animals were a novelty of the time, imported and owned by kings and the very wealthy. The ship captain buys Clara after she makes a mess at a dinner party, And the real story begins.

The story of their travels are just amazing. Traveling with a rhino becomes more and more challenging as she grows into an adult. The work and care that goes into Clara is very time consuming. Clara is introduced to the wealthy, but also the common people of the time in Europe. This story is full of twists and turns including all of the interesting people that they meet in their travels.

I really enjoyed Clara the rhino's story.

The book is written in a dual timeline format. I had an eARC and an ALC. When I was working, I only had the audiobook going and was able to following the story and easy know which timeline we were in. I liked that the past timeline was from the POV of Douwemout who would become the Rhino Keeper. It allows the reader to understand the dangers they faced and how attached he became to Clara. The present timeline is from Andrea's POV. She is a college student who founds papers in a hidden compartment of the desk in her dorm room. She will a team from the college work to discover the story of Clara.

This was a nice, enjoyable read and listen. I think Carloine Hewitt did a wonderful job on the narration. I didn't mind there being only one narrator for this story even though we had two different POVs.

The Rhino Keeper is a fictionalised account of the life of Clara, the Indian rhinoceros who toured the European continent in the 18th Century, accompanied by VOC captain Douwemout van der Meer and Clara's keeper Zuban. From his first encounter with baby Clara at an ill-fated dinner party through her journey aboard ships and carriages and barges, and her tour of palaces and paddocks, managing both death threats and royal patronage, Clara's - and Douwe and Zuban's - life was utterly extraordinary.

We also have the story of Andrea, who is studying archaeology in the Netherlands under the tutelage of respected historians. Andrea has recently broken up with her fiancee after discovering he came from a family of unapologetic trophy hunters. Throwing herself into her work, Andrea stumbles upon hidden documents purportedly from Douwe himself in an antique desk. But the discovery of these documents leads to a race to find Douwe's remains and protect Clara's legacy before they fall into the wrong hands.

This was an utterly captivating tale that had everything from seafaring adventures to royal palaces, murder and suspicion, intrigue, fighting, crafts, and above all, a deep respect for Clara and her welfare. Given it is a fictionalised account, Clara's tale was told with respect and sensitivity, and without undue sensationalism - Clara herself was a sensation!

For myself, I found the romance aspects in both timelines to have been unnecessary, and in Andrea's case, rather rushed, but that is personal preference.

I listened to the audiobook of this (from NetGalley) and purchased the ebook version from Kobo. The narrator, Caroline Hewitt, was wonderful with the myriad different accents required to really bring this book to life.

~Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~

A cosy read about a rhinoceros travelling through Europe. It’s not the kind of story that keeps you on the edge of your seat but it was comfy and pleasant and I enjoyed getting back toit each day. . I preferred the chapters set in the past. The historian in present time was a bit dramatic but I also appreciated how she fought for her beliefs,
As for the characters, I loved the rhino keepers, the boy especially. I wished they were more developed. Finally, the fact that they traveled from one place to another led to some elements being repeated in the story.
I also enjoyed the notes from the author because i truly wanted to know more about Clara.

3.5 stars

Many thanks to Netgalley, Author,Narrator for the opportunity to listen to this book and share my thoughts.

The story is told from two different timelines and had an interesting start. The blurb is pretty self explanatory.

The story is based on true events but I had to force myself to remember that it is a work of fiction. Some manner of speaking and relations do not seem realistic to me for that time period.

The Narrator had quite the task before them to do all the accents and voices. The Dutch accent was not the best example but it was a good attempt, as was the Indian accent.

Thanks to Jillian Forsberg, History through Fiction, and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars.

First, narrator Caroline Hewitt does a beautiful job. You feel the history when shifting perspectives. I really appreciated the distinction in public places. Much easier to follow along on transit or doing errands.

Now for the review. There's a clear arc for every character, except one. You understand the ideas and some fanciful turn of fact or phrase when little was known of the travels. Please listen to the last section of notes. It rounds out what the book lacks at points.

Clara the Rhino has her own personality, especially around those teenage years. Forsberg allows her to be a main character and not necessarily a side show attraction. Her keepers are also deeply embedded in the care and upkeep, creating a found family.

Douwemout van der Meer works hard at maintaining aristocratic relationships and figuring out to feed such a large mammal in Europe as she ages. I really liked the parental role in several ways.

My biggest complaint was the current timeline. Later events mesh better than Andrea's backstory and the impetus to take a semester abroad. The mystery, the unlocking of clues, how things exist in a respected university was great. I just didn't buy certain storylines. I think if there had been more closed ending on the contemporary story, I would have given this 4 stars. Easily.

However. Don't let a three star fool you. If you enjoy conservation/historical archival fiction, this is a good book. And to that end, purchase of The Rhino Keeper gives a donation to rhino conservation. As trophies are collected and animals butchered, there's a definite need. And Forsberg knows Clara's history. She works at weaving fact and fiction in a way that makes sense for the 18th century and Enlightenment. This is a book worth reading.

I enjoyed listening the The Rhino Keeper audio thanks to NetGalley

A historical fiction based on a true story told in dual-timeline, 1740's and 21st century. Clara, the rhinoceros story is fascinating, provided me with several facts about rhinos. I enjoyed the audio voice. Beautiful book cover! Loved the storyline.

What a wholesome, heartbreaking, lovely book this was! I was immersed in this world completely. Clara was the star of the book and I was so deeply attached I cried at one point. I never cry at books! It was moving and sincere in every way. The multiple storylines kept me interested and wanting to know what happened in the past and present. I fell in love with this book for the story but I was most impressed with the insane amount of research that must have went into this book. What is explained in the prologue alone seems huge, but I know it was more than what the author even gave herself credit for. Doing a bit of my own research after, I was able to find so many small details from history included in the story, even minor characters were modeled after real people. This literary achievement was a monumental amount of work and still managed to steal my heart more than my mind. This is a book I’ll be recommending to every animal lover and history buff I know.

Special thanks to NetGalley and IBPA for the gift of this ARC in exchange for my honest review. What a gift it was!

I struggled with this book. On the one hand, I really enjoyed the historical piece of the story. It was compelling and I learned a lot about rhinos and how they were seen in the past. I have always hated zoos. I used to cry when my parents took me there as a toddler and I don't love them anymore now. I have the same struggle with circus animals. So I went into this cautiously optimistic. I ended up loving the historical portion. I thought Douwe showed a lot of respect and love for Clara, the rhino, despite the context of Clara's life. What brought this book down was the absolutely unnecessary modern-day plot, which added nothing whatsoever to the story. The audiobook narrator and the historical timeline carried this book.

A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

What a great read! From start to finish, I was invested in Clara and Douwemout’s story. Clara was so adorable! She acted like a ginormous puppy 😂 I love the bond Clara, Douwemout (the rhino keeper), and Zubin (Clara’s caretaker) have with each other. I know Zubin was a fictional character for this book, but I cannot imagine how amazing it must have been for all the children in Europe to see a rhino over 200 years ago!

The other plot in the story was interesting, too! Taking place in Holland, 2022, Andrea is a student studying abroad, escaping the nightmare of an almost-fiance. She and a few others uncover Clara and Douwemout's historical mystery, including where the missing artifacts went! I think one of the only things I didn’t like about this story was that Andrea and Lukas’s (?) relationship seemed out of place. She just got out of a relationship with someone she thought she knew, and she seemed to jump to Lukas immediately. I think that could have been explored more towards the end of the book, after the mystery was resolved. That’s just my opinion, though!

I also wasn’t a huge fan of how colonialism was brushed over. While Clara was the book's main focus, it seemed that everyone in India was fine with Douwemout, and everyone in Europe was fine with Zubin.

The ending absolutely devastated me! I know the author mentions in her author’s note that no one really knows how Clara died, but her take on Clara’s death hurt! Knowing the religious fanatics in our current time, I can’t imagine how unholy Clara’s appearance in Europe must have seemed. But to cut her horn off?! I’m not sure if the priest in this story was driven by greed as well as faith, but either way, it broke Clara’s spirit, which is what I think ultimately killed her. Some justice for Clara was she was able to trample one of the priests to death (serves him right!).

Overall, I loved this book and would reread it.

I took a while after I listened to this book to write my review. The story of Dowe and Clara was so interesting and you could tell the author did her research. I thoroughly enjoyed their part of this book.
What I noticed (and other reviewers saw apparently) was that I immediately wanted to tune out the chapters with Andrea. This urge began pretty much immediately when she behaves as though the man she had been dating was the utmost evil man ever as his family hunted. Now tell me you make it to the stage of him proposing without knowing his family hunts? Her overreactions through the book were major red flags.
Overall I would have rated the book much higher without Andreas part of the boo’k.
I received an ALC of this title, all opinions are my own.

Thank you for allowing me to listen to an advanced copy of this audiobook! I enjoyed the narrator and the pacing was great. I had no trouble distinguishing between chapters or characters and I especially enjoyed the accents of each character. The book itself was very interesting and kept my interest the whole time. It follows my favorite method of alternating chapters of then and now to build the story. This would be a great read for any animal lover and anyone who enjoys historical fiction. The characters were very likable and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

This captivating historical novel tells the tale about a lone rhino named Clara, touring and being showcased around Europe in 1740.

The story unfolds in dual timelines. The past takes us through Clara's solitary journey and the present is told through Andrea and her quest to uncover the truth about this majestic creature.

While the pace is slow, the narrative makes up for it with a beautiful tale, evoking powerful emotions ranging from wonder to sorrow. The writing allows the setting easy to visualize and made it hard not to become emotionally attached to Clara.

I loved the authors notes at the end and noted how "Clara" did exist. Although, it was not documented in such detail, there was once a rhino who toured Europe during this time and the story offering a touching and thought-provoking exploration of relationships with animals and humans.

4 stars! This story takes you on a great adventure. I felt like I was really there & lived vicariously through the characters.