Book Review: We Bought a Zoo

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was exited to read this book because I loved the movie.
Unfortunately however, this was one of those cases where the actual book fell short of the movie.

I loved the story but the writing style, perhaps too plain and direct, made me feel like I'm reading a newspaper article instead of a book. It didn't allow feelings to be properly shown. And it didn't allow me to really bond with any of the characters either. The humour also fell flat and felt like sarcasm most of the time.

I may be the odd one out here but I cannot get myself to care a lot about a story, even if it is true and heartbreaking, if it's told in a plain style of the type: "We went there and we did this, then I tought of this and tried that, or they said this and then done that." This would work very well for a short story, making the impact that much stronger, but it becomes tedious very fast in a book.

And yet, the tale itself was heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time! It took a hell lot of guts and a ton of hard work for Mee and his family to succeed! For this, I cannot but admire them and cheer for them from the stands. Because, that was simply fabulous!

If you love animals, a man with a strong will and solid determination, and don't mind a forward and direct writing style, this book may be exactly what you're looking for.

Happy reading! :)

Grab a copy of the book HERE.