{"product_id":"zookeeper-of-belfast","title":"Zookeeper Of Belfast","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAs the bombs rain down on the city, Belfast''s first ever female zookeeper must fight to save the baby elephant in her charge in this gripping, uplifting tale based on a true story.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1941. With the men away fighting, animal-lover Hettie Quin is made Belfast Zoo''s first ever female zookeeper. She is put in charge of Violet, a three-year-old Indian elephant, and they soon form a special bond. With Violet at her side, Hettie can almost escape the grim reality of her life: the father who has abandoned her family; the sister who recently died; the war that''s raging hundreds of miles away.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut the devastation of war is closer than she thought. When the bombs begin to rain down on the city, Hettie must gather all her courage to protect those she loves the most. Can she save Violet - and get through unscathed herself?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBased on a true story, \u003ci\u003eThe Zookeeper of Belfast\u003c\/i\u003e is a gripping and uplifting tribute to what one woman''s courage and tenacity can achieve in the most dire of circumstances - perfect for fans of\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e Heather Morris, Natasha Lester, Kate Furnivall, Mandy Robotham and Fiona Valpy.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cu\u003ePraise for THE ZOOKEEPER OF BELFAST:\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e''Walsh delivers \u003cb\u003ea turbulent portrait of life in a divided city\u003c\/b\u003e . . . A unique perspective of a country at war and the lengths people will go for those they love.'' - Kirkus Reviews\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e''Sensitively rendered and finely drawn, this \u003cb\u003eremarkable\u003c\/b\u003e story, based on true events, is \u003cb\u003eboth uplifting and heartbreaking\u003c\/b\u003e.'' - Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of\u003ci\u003e Orphan Train\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cbr\u003e''\u003c\/i\u003eWalsh has written \u003cb\u003ea novel of deep affection and knife-edge suspense\u003c\/b\u003e. A \u003cb\u003ebrilliant\u003c\/b\u003e debut.'' - Margot Livesey, author of The Boy in The Field\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e''An elephant, a young zookeeper, the city of Belfast, bombings, and an IRA member are the improbable characters in this \u003cb\u003ecaptivating and intimately felt \u003c\/b\u003enovel that tells the story of a young woman''s uncommon devotion and courage under fire.'' - Lily Tuck, author of \u003ci\u003eSisters\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e''A zoo in wartime Belfast and a young woman''s fierce love for the elephant in her care come vividly to life in this \u003cb\u003ebeautiful, beguiling, and atmospheric \u003c\/b\u003edebut novel.'' - Dominic Smith, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Last Painting of Sara de Vos\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e''\u003cb\u003eCinematic\u003c\/b\u003e in scope and \u003cb\u003ebrimming with emotion\u003c\/b\u003e, this is \u003cb\u003ea soaring work of historical imagination\u003c\/b\u003e.'' - Karen Olsson, author of \u003ci\u003eAll the Houses\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e''\u003c\/i\u003eWalsh''s \u003cb\u003elovely debut spins this historical sliver into a vivid novel of redemption\u003c\/b\u003e and mutual care'' \u003ci\u003eNYT Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e''\u003c\/i\u003eBased on real events, \u003cb\u003ethis engrossing novel \u003c\/b\u003etakes place a year into the Second World War. A three-year-old elephant named Violet arrives at Belfast''s Bellevue Zoo, where Hettie Quin, a young zookeeper mourning the recent death of a sister, finds purpose and solace in caring for her'' \u003ci\u003eThe New Yorker\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Elephant of Belfast\u003c\/i\u003e is \u003cb\u003edeeply emotive\u003c\/b\u003e . . . Action is heart-pounding; the imagery vivid; the message universal: connections and friendships among living creatures, both animal and human, offer solace, support, and strength in the darkest times'' \u003ci\u003eHistorical Novels Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MediaPlace","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57315204137342,"sku":"NW9781529345537","price":13.4,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1379\/1261\/files\/9781529345537.jpg?v=1778715287","url":"https:\/\/mediaplace.com\/products\/zookeeper-of-belfast","provider":"MediaPlace","version":"1.0","type":"link"}