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.

Though this book followed dual timelines, the real standout was the historical side of things. Douwe, Zubin, and Clara formed such a wholesome little family unit as they traveled through Europe. It was delightful to watch Clara charm sailors, kings, peasants, and emperors alike. The story spanned years and saw the characters flourishing in new and sometimes unexpected ways. It made me feel more connected to their emotions.
Andrea’s story in the modern-day, however, felt like mere interludes between the historical stretches. It was hard to connect to her character as her trauma response seemed a bit over-the-top. The way she responds to things, you would’ve thought that her ex’s family hunted her down, tied her to the table, and started taxidermying her. Though they obviously weren’t great, her reaction seemed outsized (and it seemed like she should’ve gotten some inkling about this before her literal engagement). Though it felt unbalanced in comparison to Douwe, Zubin, and Clara’s years of growth and development, I did appreciate that I got to see Andrea grow and change in just a few days of learning about an old rhino and her keeper.

Based on the true story of a Dutch sea captain who traveled with an Indian rhinoceros called Clara across 18th century Europe, it's even more amazing when you realize that no European had seen a living rhinoceros. The story is told over two different timelines: 2022 when college student Andrea Clarkson uncovers a historical mystery while studying abroad in Holland, and 1740 when ship captain Douwemout van der Meer and Clara, the only rhino in Europe, tour the continent enthralling both peasants and royalty.

The book contains a lot of information about Clara's diet and needs and it was all quite interesting, so interesting that I immediately searched out all I could find about Clara on the internet and there are some great drawings and sculptures there. I probably could've done without the romance in the current timeline but it's very low key.

I enjoyed listening to this audiobook. Caroline Hewitt, the narrator, did an admirable job voicing the different characters and her modulation was appropriate to each situation. Apparently the print editions were released last year and I'm not sure I would've enjoyed reading the story as much as I enjoyed the audiobook. And what a beautiful cover! I was really pleased to have the Author's Note at the end as quite often they're missing from audiobooks. She provided information on her research and clarified which parts of the story are fiction.

My thanks to History Through Fiction via Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: February 14, 2025

A story of two timelines, one with Andrea who is studying abroad in Hollland and finds documents about a mysterious tale of a rhinoceros. The other, a ship captain from 300 years prior who finds himself the owner of a rhinoceros with the bad wrap of being a man-eater.
A fun historical fiction about a strange tale of a rhinoceros.
I could have used a lot more character development to get me more attached to this book, but overall a pleasant read.
I enjoyed the narration quite a bit and that helped me like the story more.

Thank you NetGalley and Independent Book Publishers Association for this audiobook ARC!

Based on the true story of a Dutch sea captain who traveled with an Indian rhinoceros called Clara across 18th century Europe, THE RHINO KEEPER evokes both the thrill of discovery in the archives and the wonder felt by a world in which no European had seen a living rhinoceros.

2022 – College student Andrea Clarkson uncovers a historical mystery while studying abroad in Holland.

From hidden desk drawers come unusual historical documents featuring a rhinoceros. On a lichen-covered eighteenth-century grave, the same animal is carved. When an expanding river forces exhumation, what she finds buried there is life-changing. Andrea faces her nightmares to retrieve what a grave robber steals: valuable proof of a long-forgotten history.

1740 – Ship captain Douwemout van der Meer has something not seen in two hundred years: the only rhino in Europe, called Clara. Douwemout and Clara tour Europe, enthralling peasants and queens, hoping to change popular views that rhinos are man-eating beasts. Absolute wonder follows, but when a priest sees idol worship and becomes hell-bent on destroying her, Clara, Douwe, and the lives of her bonded caretakers are at risk.

As Douwe becomes protectively dedicated to adventuring with Clara, unexpected love finds him, and his heart starts to tear. Will he choose a life with a traveling wonder-beast forever, or can love exist in many forms for the rhino keeper?

What a lovely story! The Rhino Keeper combines history & fiction in such a believable way that it feels like everything must've happened exactly as told here.

The story unfolds through 2 timelines, and while I liked both, the plot in the present didn't feel as strong to me. I felt way more drawn to the events of the past - precious little (and later not so little, haha) Clara may have had something to do with that. ^^

It was fun to accompany Clara & her humans on their adventures to & through Europe (and what a surprise to see Vienna, my hometown, make an appearance ^^) and watch them bond through it all. I really enjoyed this beautiful & heart-warming tale!

Posted to Goodreads: 1/22/2025

This book was beautiful. Forsberg does a great job of weaving two time periods together through historical significance, and paints a picture of found family all centered around an Indian rhinoceros that made the voyage from India to Europe. The love portrayed between Douwemout and Clara, along with the others who help to care for her, shows the kindness and understanding that humans and animals can have with one another. The book also touches on conservation and animal cruelty, giving us the story of a young woman who finds the history of Clara and her keeper irresistible upon her discovery of an old broadside advertising the rhino. Overall, I would consider this an inspiring novel that animal lovers and history lovers both will enjoy. I was given the opportunity to listen to this audiobook through NetGalley and hope it finds readers that enjoy it as much as I did.

“When people saw that the world was bigger.”

I discovered the Rhino Keeper in tandem with both the audio and the ebook version. I like the narrator who did a great job with the story, making it alive without taking too much space.
Like many historical novels, it has two timelines. I loved the 18th century one, as it takes place during the enlightenment, which is one of the parts of our History that fascinates me the most. I liked how the book questions the scientific discoveries versus the ethics about the colonized countries (people, art, but also nature and animals –among other things). That is what makes that moment in History so interesting in my POV and it was very well told in this book. I think I would have preferred the author used a completely fictional character inspired by the real one. I’m always uncomfortable with books that decide thoughts for people who existed but didn’t leave much of a trace. So I did as I often do, and decided to read the story as a complete fiction, and loved that a lot, thanks to all the paradoxes it addresses. There were truly many things in this book, but it was also very easy to read.
The second timeline –present tense– didn’t bring much to the story IMO except a slight put in perspective of the events.
In the end, the Rhino Keeper was a nice story, that takes place during my favorite part of History and is about one of my favorite subjects (Natural Sciences History), so I truly enjoyed my time with the book.

Thank you NetGalley and to the author for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

Douwemout van der Meer did not expect to meet the behemoth of Job face-to-face, much less take ownership of it. Then again, after meeting such an adorable creature, he knew he had to show Clara off to all of Europe, so that the people there could better understand this monster. And who better than Andrea, a historian-in-training and animal lover trying to find her own way in the world, to help uncover this part of Europe’s forgotten history.

*The Rhino Keeper* is a fantastic way to introduce the story of Clara the rhinoceros to readers, much in the same way that Clara was a beautiful way for Douwe to introduce Europe to the Indian Rhino. The story pulls you from the beginning by introducing the reader to parallel story lines, one modern and one 200 years ago. The reader is kept engaged throughout the book as they follow Andrea through the mystery of the grave she is meant to be taking records of, as well as being pulled through the story of Clara and her travels around Europe. With philosophical debates being brought up about the rhino’s existence, as well as other moral hardships throughout the story, the book gives the reader space to reflect on their own moral compass.

All-in-all a great way to learn about some of the world’s lost history. And I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the thought of rhinos being introduced to kings and queens.

The Rhino Keeper is a delightful and very enjoyable book. This intriguing story is full of interesting facts about this often-misunderstood animal and its loving caretakers. I would highly recommend this book as a gratifying and heartwarming read for all animal lovers who truly understand the bond that can exist between humans and animals.

Narrated by: Caroline Hewitt
Presented by: History Through Fiction

A sweet story. A little too soft for my tastes but an interesting account of a strange morsel of history.

Once upon a time, a baby Rhino crossed the sea to travel around Europe.

This is a fictional account of that very true story - Clara the Rhinoceros lived til 1758, and in her 20-odd years toured Europe in the care of a man named Douwe Mout van der Meer (had to Google that spelling lol). They visited kings and queens, and Clara's likeness was captured by painters, sculptors and other artists.

If you're yearning for more details, this book will deliver. It gives a fictionalised account of each visit Clara made while adding heart and humour to the story through the characters. You can tell Clara's story was researched meticulously by the author because a Google search of Clara will essentially provide a synopsis for this story. I like that; I enjoy reading historical fiction and, through it, learning more about true figures of history.

The narrator does a great job in differentiating the characters, and she had quite a job pulling off so many accents. I found it easy to listen to, and easy to follow the action. Some of the names are quite unusual (to this modern-day Australian, anyway) so I had to look up the spelling of some to round out my comprehension a little.

I did find it a little slow at times - Clara makes many visits, so after a while they do tend to get a little same-same. But I am an impatient reader who loves action, so the pace grated on me a little. I think those with more patience will really enjoy the rich details of this novel, and be absorbed by Clara's story.

I do recommend this one because it's such an unusual, uplifting kind of story. Despite a rather short life, Clara seems to have made quite an impact on many and I think many readers will get a lot out of learning her story.

With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC