Book Report: The Zookeeper

The Zookeeper
By Alex MacLennan

Book Description

Sam Metcalfe has it all. Well, that's not exactly true. He's got a great job at the local DC zoo, but he can't seem to realize his goals. He's got amazing friends and family, including the troubled Lauren, but they seem to be running off in every direction but home. He's even found himself a brand new boyfriend, the apparently perfect Dean, except there seem to be cracks in the very foundation of their relationship. Now, opportunity is coming Sam's way. He has a chance to finally discover not only his true calling, but his true self. Will the zoo that is his life allow the freedom to chase after his long-desired dreams?

First sentence:

With no one in the darkened hallway to hear him, Sam explained to the monkeys that it was one whole year now that he'd been alone.

I let the reviews on the back cover persuade me into buying this. Carolyn Parkhurst wrote that 'Alex MacLennan explores the uncomfortable choices we make when we trade solitude for companionship, the freedom of wilderness for the comfort of civilization. MacLennan never lets us forget that we are, all of us, animals.'

This is a story about a guy. Straight away, I was able to identify with Sam's quiet, somewhat shy and self-conscious personality. In charge of the howler monkey exhibit at the San Fransisco zoo, Sam enjoys his job and the moments where he can interact privately with the animals. The first page sees him scrubbing vomit from the floor, a task which he preforms with patience and pride. He is secure with his animals, and even confident in his knowledge; he goes before the zoo committee to propose his idea for a new exhibit (not the first attempt, either) but is politely turned down. Sam feels indignant.

That night, he joins his best friend at her restaurant, where she is celebrating with friends over a recent critique that should boost business. At this party he meets Dean, a local weather forecaster who has been picked by Sam's friends as the next prospective relationship.

Sam and Dean (I did not realize this story was about a 'Sam and Dean' until page 143, believe it or not. What sort of Supernatural fan am I?) quickly hit it off and the next several chapters establish a peaceful, just-fallen-in-love world. At the zoo, a new budget sees Sam paired up with Jack, the 'King of Lion Island'. Sam is to shadow the elderly big-cat carer, with unspoken intentions that he might take over when Jack retires. Meanwhile, Dean is struggling to become a prime-time news reporter, and his outgoing nature is trying for Sam but they still find passion in the bedroom.

Meanwhile, Laurel, the restaurant owner, is contacted by her sister and told their mother has Alzheimer's. A chapter at a time, Laurel's story unfolds as she at first refuses to give up her successful business, but slowly--and painfully--realizes that that is indeed what she should do.

A few chapters are presented as backstory, typed in italics and written from Sam's mother or father's POV. While these snippets to little to propel the story, they lend insight and richness.

This story is not really exciting. But it is one of the most beautifully detailed stories I've read. I could smell the food cooking in Laurel's restaurant, I could see the lights at the parties Sam would attend, I could hear the roar of the lions and tigers at the zoo. And the insight-fullness into Sam's character is amazing. MacLennan knows people, understands why we do the things we do, understands emotions and reasoning and heartache. Many times, I was impressed by the clarity of Sam's pysche. By the end of the book, I was even able to understand myself a little bit better. Care has been given to each of the characters, and many of them are unique and tender. Sam's character arc is complete and satisfying, as he learns (or is forced to) stop putting everyone else before himself.

Alex MacLennan is a master of subtlety, and I would be very interested in seeing what he comes up with next.
Four out of five stars for description, characterization, balance and transformation