Antonina Zabinski

Antonina is the protagonist and the wife to whom the title of the book refers. She was married to Jan who took over the directorship of the Warsaw Zoo in the early days of their marriage. Antonina had a special way with animals and was able to calm even the most difficult residents of the zoo. She was in charge of caring for and feeding orphaned and ill animals. Her skill with difficult animals proved to be useful when the Germans invaded Poland and she sometimes had to deal with angry and dangerous Nazis.

Antonina kept the villa running while Jan worked with the Polish Underground to rescue Jews. Her compassion, intelligence, and quick thinking made it possible for the Underground to hide Jews, whom she referred to as Guests, at the zoo throughout the war. Antonina made certain the villa’s Guests were fed and...