The Rhino Keeper by Jillian Forsberg, is a captivating historical fiction novel, based on the true story of a Dutch sea captain who transported Clara, an Indian rhinoceros across 18th century Europe.

I was unaware of this history, so I am thankful for such stories to shed light on the fascinating life of Clara, and the people who travelled around caring for her.

This story was told from dual-perspectives, with a dual-timeline narrative, that delicately weaves together the past (1740’s) and the present (2022). The writing style had me immersed within each time.

The narrator, Caroline Hewitt did a remarkable job, and I would be interested to listen to further audiobooks that she narrates.

Many thanks to History Through Fiction, Jillian Forsberg and NetGalley for this audio review copy, in exchange for an honest review.

Listen time: 11hours 35 minutes

I had really enjoyed 𝑱𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒈'𝒔 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑹𝑯𝑰𝑵𝑶 𝑲𝑬𝑬𝑷𝑬𝑹 when I first read an ARC last summer so when I saw it offered on @netgalley from @historythroughfiction I had to listen!

I was so happy to reenter the 18th century world of wonder with the voyage and display of a real-life Rhino through Europe, complete with the imagined adventures that filled in the known gaps. To see how a creature so unknown could be shown in a way to balance education and care of the animal was fascinating. It added to the tension of the story to see how myths and greed could propel others to cause harm to such an animal.

The dual timeline took that same wonder, balance, and danger to modern days and showed that in some ways not much has changed and animals still have the power to give awe, and entice greed.

Catherine Hewitt did a fantastic job bringing this story to audio life. I won't lie...I was so curious how she would do the Rhino Keeper's name, Douwemout, or Douwe! She changes between timelines and characters seamlessly making it very easy to follow and enjoy. This will be a delight for all animal lovers when it comes out February 14th!

What an engaging split-time novel. I kept wondering how the current line and past connect. The author did a great job tying the two together. It would have been a 5 star, but I got a bit confused with a bit of head hopping. I think I only saw it in the old time line. I'm expecting the Rhino keeper's point of view, but it will seem to be the boy or somebody else is point of view. It didn't discourage me from listening, only slowed the pace as I would rewind thinking I missed something. The narrator was awesome and overall it was a fantastic read. I want a Clara now ;)

I appreciate all the time this author spent researching Clara and her journey. I appreciate the story she created from all of the research. You can’t help but fall in love with Clara the rhino and root for her safe journey across Europe.
This book is written in dual timelines. There’s the past in which Captain Douwemot van der Meer and little boy, Zuben, bond with a rhino and hope to take Clara across Europe in order to prevent animal cruelty and to educate the people of Europe about these unusual animals. They embark on a fantastic, but difficult and draining journey with a large animal. I thoroughly enjoyed this timeline, I thought it was beautifully written, I couldn’t help but fall in love with all the animals and characters.
And then there’s the “present” timeline which I was not a fan of at all. The main character is in a relationship with a man she apparently doesn’t even know at all and is pretty much dating him for his money. The entire plot of this timeline felt too much like an author’s desire to push her personal political view and use the characters to serve that purpose, not my thing. I understand the subject is close to everyone’s heart, but the execution could have been different and would have carried more weight.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing a copy ahead of the release date.

I really enjoyed this book and I don't normally like historic fiction. I think this was helped with the dual timeline. The Rhino keeper alternates between Douwemout, the Dutch sea captain in the 18th century and Andrea in the present day getting insight into the history of Douwemout and his Rhino Clara.

Both timelines were filled with intrigue and I wanted to keep listening to both. The settings were beautifully described and I enjoyed following Clara around the world.

I did feel the ending in the present day was a bit rushed and could have been expanded on which is why I think it is a 4 star book. Also at times I felt the book did fall into some historic stereotypes - white saviour - but I understand that it was reflective of the times (18th century).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I want to send a Thank You to NetGalley and the publishers of The Rhino Keeper by Jillian Forsberg for the audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Rhino Keeper is one of the most unique stories I have ever read (or listened to). Even more fascinating to discover that this story is based on a factual Rhinoceros and a Dutch Sea Captain and their journey from India to the Netherlands and all-around Europe. This book is great for anyone interested in the 18th century and an animal lover.

The Rhino Keeper by Jennifer Forsberg is about the Dutch Sea Captain (Douwemout van der Meer) in the 18th century who becomes the owner of a beautiful Indian Rhinoceros baby named Clara. The Dutch Sea Captain takes the Rhinoceros on a land and sea voyage across Europe to show off this marvelous creature. Douwemount encounters many kinds of people from different ranks in life and learns about love and loss.

There is another timeline in the story of the present day with a college student names Andrea. The modern timeline dragged on a little bit. The main character Andrea was developed nicely in the book, but I had a hard time liking her character for some reason. The modern timeline of the story felt like more of a background story. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and learning new facts about Rhinoceroses.

4.5 stars.

THE RHINO KEEPER is based on the true story of a Dutch sea captain who traveled across Europe in the 18th century with an Indian rhinoceros, Clara. In 1740, Ship captain Douwemout van der Meer tours Europe, enthralling peasants and royalty with Clara, the Indian rhinoceros, hoping to change popular views that rhinos are man-eating beasts. In 2022, college student Andrea Clarkson uncovers a historical mystery while studying abroad in Holland. She finds some unusual historical documents featuring a rhinoceros in hidden desk drawers leading to further investigation as to what these documents may reveal.

THE RHINO KEEPER is a fantastic story told in dual timelines (1740s and 2022) with dual POVs (Douwemout and Andrea). It’s a truly clever story that mixes historical fiction with a present-day mystery. I loved learning about Clara and Douwemont’s travels in the 1740s – they share such a tender and beautiful bond. I admittedly don’t know much about rhinoceroses, so it was quite interesting to learn more about them through Clara. The present timeline narrated by Andrea is equally interesting as she discovers key artifacts that shed light on Douwemont and Clara’s travels, and helped clarify certain aspects. I do think that I preferred the past timeline though.

Forsberg’s writing style is beautiful, vivid, and compelling. I was fully immersed in each of the timelines with ease. The settings of each timeline are descriptive and detailed, making them easy to envision in my mind’s eye. Each of the main characters whom are key to the story are well-written, dynamic, and authentic.

The audiobook narration by Caroline Hewitt is well done, easily bringing the story to life. It was the first audiobook I’d heard her narrate but I would definitely pick up another audiobook in her voice. The author’s note at the end of the book makes it very clear that much of THE RHINO KEEPER is inspired by her own imagination given the lack of artifacts, knowledge, or records of Clara and Douwemont’s real travels.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, History Through Fiction, of this advanced listener copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.

Actual scoring is 3.5 stars


I hadn't heard of Clara the rhinoceros before, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this story is based on her fascinating life and the man who cared for her.
You can tell the story is well researched and it was interesting to read about how somebody would manage to travel around the world with a 5000lbs rhino in tow.


I really enjoyed how the author brought Clara (back) to life, giving her an adorable personality that shines throughout the whole book, but I did feel a little let down to how flat some of the human characters felt in comparison.
Douwe comes across as an interesting man, but we don't really get much more from him than his love for Clara and wanting to keep her safe. Whereas his relationships with Zubin and later Lonnie(?), there's potential for the author to explore these relationships, yet they barely scratch the surface.

My big letdown would have to be the modern day plot. I did like how the going ons in one story tied into the other story, but while the 18th century tale was told at a nice pace (until the very end, but I can forgive that), the 21st century plot all felt a bit rushed and as it it should be part of a Dan Brown plot rather than a well research historical novel
And the main female character? 🙄 I found her to be a bit of an infuriating know it all who didn't really add anything to the overall plot. (You could easily have given her storyline to Lucas or even Paul and I think it wouldn't change anything about the story. Alrhough, hearing from Janice's POV would be a far more interesting read)

Tl;dr: I did enjoy this story despite some of the plot's flaws and would be interested if the author decides to write another fiction novel.

Thank you to Netgalley and History Through Fiction for providing me with a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Jillian Frosberg has a way of making people on a page feel like real people. If you liked Lost Apothecary I would give The Rhino Keeper a try.

The Rhino Keeper is a historical fiction story with dual timelines. One timeline is set in 2022 and the other takes place in 1740. The book itself is well written, bouncing between the two timelines. I was lucky enough to receive a ARC copy of the audiobook in which the narration brings this story to life a beautiful love story

The 2022 timeline follows Andrea, a college student who has taken a semester to study abroad, discovering a historical mystery in Holland. This timeline takes a while to get into and was not my favorite of the two storylines. However the character Andrea has such strong emotions and reactions that the author makes her feel real rather than just a person on a page.

In 1740 Douwe comes across a Rhino named Clara and feels the pull of fate. Deciding he has to be apart of her life he begins traveling around helping take care of her. This storyline is based on real events and flows as if it came straight from the author leading me to believe that the author took her time researching and making sure her information is entertaining, engaging and full of as many facts as it can be. From the start Douwe seems to be caring and motivated as well as human.

Overall I would read this book again even if just to relive the 1740 storyline. My main problem was there seemed to be a lack of character growth but that might be because they already seemed to be who they needed to be at the start of the story.

The highlight of this story was Clara the Rhino and her unprecedented adventures. I really loved learning about her and the people around her determined to help her have a wonderfully unconventional life.

The modern day story line just didn’t work for me, the characters and their experiences had no impact on my reading experience and dropped the rating down a full star. I’d be more specific but it would give things away from the book and others may find the things that bugged me to be delightful. Who knows!

Thank you Independent Book Publishers Association, Members' Audiobooks for the alc via Netgalley.

*TW animal cruelty

A compelling story that went back and forth between the present and the past. I enjoyed the ambiance and characters a lot. The narration was good, despite me listening to it faster than it's probably supposed to be.

A breathtaking and deeply moving novel, *The Rhino Keeper* brings to life the extraordinary journey of Clara, an Indian rhinoceros, and her devoted keeper, Captain Douwemout (Douwe) van der Meer, as they travel across 18th-century Europe. This beautifully written historical fiction is told in dual timelines, seamlessly weaving together a present-day mystery with the vivid and captivating tale of Clara’s adventures centuries ago.

In 2022, college student Andrea Clarkson stumbles upon a gravestone with a rhinoceros carving, sparking an unexpected historical mystery. Meanwhile, in 1740, Douwe acquires Clara and sets off on a journey to challenge misconceptions about rhinos, bringing awe and wonder to all who see her. While both narratives are compelling, I found myself especially captivated by Clara’s timeline, where Douwe, along with young Zubin, Clara’s caretaker, builds an unbreakable bond with this magnificent creature.

From grand palaces to the rough seas, from the admiration of royalty to the struggles of survival, Clara’s story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The author masterfully blends fact and fiction, filling in the gaps of Clara’s real-life journey with imagination and care. Every moment—whether joyful, dangerous, or tender—felt alive, making me feel as if I, too, was traveling through 18th-century Europe beside Clara.

This novel is not just a historical adventure; it’s a love letter to the deep connections between humans and animals. It reminds us that creatures like Clara are not just spectacles but sentient beings who feel, trust, and love. I hope that as you turn the final page, you reflect on the animals who have touched your own life. And perhaps, inspired by Clara, you’ll consider supporting rhino conservation or local wildlife efforts.

A truly unforgettable read—one that lingers in your heart long after the final chapter.

This is categorized as a mystery, but there is no mystery as far as I can tell. It’s more a gentle unfolding of events, with no sense of anticipation. The writing is lovely, but the book didn’t hold my interest. The audiobook narration is well done.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

I love this book, and it’s perfect for audio, especially with Caroline Hewitt’s versatile narration. It will be enjoyed by hist fic lovers, but also it’s far more. I think it’s a special interest book for animal care and conservation.

Clara is the special, real, historical rhino that comes to life in “The Rhino Keeper,” but she also had caretakers who kept her alive and well. The author does a good job of weaving in known facts about her life with a story about her caretakers, as well as a dual timeline that shows what it might be like to be a part of a team discovering more about Clara and the man who took care of her for so long.

If you are at all interested in these things, I urge you to
give this book a try, especially the audio which really brings it to life. More of these books, publishers!

Thank you for the audio preview in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this would be more of my cup of tea than it was, which is a shame because I was trying so hard to enjoy it! Clara was a great character and the pacing of the dual POVs was well placed, however,there was just something that didn't feel succinct enough to keep my attention. Normally I love a good piece of historical fiction, but I felt myself at the point where I almost DNF'd this several times throughout

I didn’t expect to enjoy The Rhino Keeper as much as I did, but Jillian Forsberg’s masterful storytelling completely pulled me in. This beautifully woven dual-timeline novel brings together history, mystery, and adventure in a way that feels both immersive and emotionally resonant.
The true story of Captain Douwemout van der Meer and his incredible journey across 18th-century Europe with Clara, the rhinoceros, is absolutely captivating. Forsberg vividly evokes the awe and wonder Clara inspired, while also exploring deeper themes of curiosity, devotion, and the complexities of human-animal relationships. The historical sections are richly detailed, transporting readers into a world where scientific discovery and superstition collide.
The modern-day storyline featuring college student Andrea Clarkson adds an intriguing layer of historical investigation, with its own blend of suspense and emotional depth. While at times the transitions between past and present slow the pacing, the overall narrative is compelling and well-researched.
A beautifully written and unique historical novel—The Rhino Keeper is a must-read.

The premise of the book was really interesting. It had elements of mystery and adventure that drew me in right away. The characters faced challenges that tested their strength and resolve. I loved how their journeys were so different yet still intertwined. This unique setup made me think about how our own lives can often have unexpected twists and turns.

Overall, I finished the book feeling satisfied and grateful for the journey. The beginning was a little tricky, but it was worth sticking with it. The way the narrative unfolded was clever and engaging. I loved how everything connected in the end, making it a memorable reading experience that I would recommend to others.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book. I loved the time period, I didn't know much about it or the history of Clara. I loved the adventure and found family. The writing was immersive and I found myself enjoying the sights and sounds of Douwe, Zubin, and Clara's travels. The characters were interesting as well as the mystery. I feel that the dual time lines worked well: present day at the university with Andrea and the 1700's with Douwe. I appreciated the author's note at the end.

The narrator has a knack for speaking just the right amount of emotion into the story: her voice is expressive, but not distractingly so. As for the story itself, it was clear and easy to follow. I can imagine recommending this book to library customers looking for a bookclub pick.

This was an excellent book. I did feel like I was reading two different books at the beginning. It took a little bit to pull it together. But I loved the premise and the way it unfolded. The author was able to get me invested in both Clara and her owner. I did wish it had ended differently but was glad that her horn was never sold. I also appreciated that there wasn't a bunch of rated X sexual innuendo.