同名電影《園長夫人:動物園的奇蹟》即將上映,將由潔西卡雀絲坦、丹尼爾布爾主演。
媲美《辛德勒的名單》
最動人心弦、難以抹滅的真實故事
華沙動物園裡的動物都有人的名字
納粹入侵後,園裡難民都起了動物的名字
一個人道對抗獸性、希望對抗滅絕的年代
動物園裡不關動物
關的是人……
人異於禽獸幾希矣!
血淚交織的真實故事,
求存於納粹陰影下的動物園
人為何比野獸更殘暴?
二次大戰期間,就連倒杯水給猶太人解渴,都可能招來殺身之禍,波蘭華沙動物園長夫婦姜恩和安東妮娜,卻想方設法,甘冒風險拯救了逾三百名被迫害的猶太人,然而這一段傳奇故事卻落入歷史的隙縫,無人知曉。
善以詩意筆觸描寫大自然的《感官之旅》作家艾克曼,意外巧遇園長夫婦的軼事,遂由安東妮娜的日記譯本和其他歷史資料佐助,並親赴華沙動物園,訪問他們的兒子與相關人士,鮮活地重塑了這位「園長夫人」的戰時生活。他們一家人為了搶救猶太人,把動物牢籠變身為諾亞方舟。躲藏在屋裡、獸欄內的人以動物為代號,而動物起了人的名字,動物園因此得到「瘋狂星星下的房子」的外號。
艾克曼以一貫的靈敏纖細,探索大自然仁慈的一面和野蠻的本質,說明納粹主義種族淨化核心,那既教人著迷,卻又讓人困擾的迷惑:在設法掌控整個星球基因組的同時,既崇拜大自然,卻又違反大自然。
本文取自時報出版《園長夫人》
Now a major motion picture, starring Jessica Chastain and Daniel Brühl, based on a remarkable true story of bravery and sanctuary during World War II - out in Spring 2017.
When Germany invades Poland, Luftwaffe bombers devastate Warsaw and the city's zoo along with it. With most of their animals killed, or stolen away to Berlin, zookeepers Jan and Antonina Zabinski begin smuggling Jews into the empty cages.
As the war escalates Jan becomes increasingly involved in the anti-Nazi resistance. Ammunition is buried in the elephant enclosure and explosives stored in the animal hospital. Plans are prepared for what will become the Warsaw uprising. Through the ever-present fear of discovery, Antonina must keep her unusual household afloat, caring for both its human and animal inhabitants - otters, a badger, hyena pups, lynxes - as Europe crumbles around them.
Written with the narrative drive and emotional punch of a novel, The Zookeeper's Wife is a remarkable true story. It shows us the human and personal impact of war - of life in the Warsaw Ghetto, of fighting in the anti-Nazi resistance. But more than anything it is a story of decency and sacrifice triumphing over terror and oppression. Jan and Antonina saved over 300 people from the death camps of the Holocaust. It has already been acclaimed by Jonathan Safran Foer: 'I can't imagine a better story or storyteller. The Zookeeper's Wife will touch every nerve you have.'
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