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ginzc's review
4.75
Loved this. I was scared I'd be too upset knowing the general idea of what would be described as an intense animal lover, but although emotional, it was written in a way that made it bareable in the worst moments and utterly worth it. Highly recommend. Also a fascinating look at what reality looked like for those in Mosul and how people were able to survive. Fascinating, entertaining, well written and an immensely beautiful story.
berthe33's review
Received ARC from BookBrowse
Trying to live a "normal" life in Mosul during the Daesh occupation, the main character, Abu Laith, focused on saving the animals in the Mosul zoo...his special friends...sometimes to the detriment of his family. The research and committment of the author to take the reader to an unknown place was astonishing. To get this perspective on the Taliban occupation was educational as well as necessary. The families whose stories are told here bring us into their nightmare. Highly recommended for book clubs that enjoy non-fiction.
Trying to live a "normal" life in Mosul during the Daesh occupation, the main character, Abu Laith, focused on saving the animals in the Mosul zoo...his special friends...sometimes to the detriment of his family. The research and committment of the author to take the reader to an unknown place was astonishing. To get this perspective on the Taliban occupation was educational as well as necessary. The families whose stories are told here bring us into their nightmare. Highly recommended for book clubs that enjoy non-fiction.
energyrae's review
3.0
I appreciated the story of the self-appointed "father of lions" and not just his struggles, but all of those in war-torn Mosul. I can't imagine the daily fear that would be involved for people that live in and around the region, with ever-changing rules that you have to abide by. When you don't live in the region, it's easy to not know or understand the daily fight for the people that live there. While I had made it a point to know this information, having an account such as this, with Abu Laith's love of animals shining through.
When I first read the blurb for this, I had assumed that the lions and other animals would take the precedence in this book, but it was the daily life, the war, and life under Isis that took the focus, and while it wasn't what I was picturing, it was still an endearing story. Callaghan took care to tells us Abu Laith's story in the present, as well as the past, to establish just how deep his love for animals runs. As some others have said, there are parts of this that seem to be filler that doesn't necessarily move the story forward. But I appreciated the underlying story and how well it was told.
When I first read the blurb for this, I had assumed that the lions and other animals would take the precedence in this book, but it was the daily life, the war, and life under Isis that took the focus, and while it wasn't what I was picturing, it was still an endearing story. Callaghan took care to tells us Abu Laith's story in the present, as well as the past, to establish just how deep his love for animals runs. As some others have said, there are parts of this that seem to be filler that doesn't necessarily move the story forward. But I appreciated the underlying story and how well it was told.
silver_lining125's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
cbs5678's review
4.0
This story depicts the dangers of life under ISIS for both humans and animals. Engaging and heartbreaking at times.
pleasereadittome's review against another edition
3.0
One of the most important aspects of “Father of Lions” occurs in the postscript, when Louise Callaghan mentions that the animals of the Mosul Zoo were removed from Iraq, but many of their human saviors were not.
I wish this statement would’ve been included in the introduction of the book, because it adds a layer of gravitas to a story that sometimes felt too lighthearted.
While a fascinating microhistory of humans and animals surviving through the ISIS occupation of Mosul through much of the mid-2010s, Callaghan never quite found the right balance between history, politics and humanity.
Anyone going into this story expecting it to be centered exclusively on the animals of the Mosul Zoo will be disappointed. The animals, truly, are secondary until the last 25 percent of the story.
As an animal lover, the sections that featured Zombie, a lion cub, Lulu, a bear, and the assorted other animals of the Mosul Zoo were the most interesting to read. The difficulties FOUR PAWS International had in rescuing them further emphasizes the continued instability and corruption of the region.
Callaghan switches POV among a half dozen people almost every chapter, and this contributed to some confusion. The connections between the people are not clear nor how their story will lead us to the animal rescue.
While I appreciated learning about recent life in Iraq, a human history versus animal history is not the book I expected to read.
I wish this statement would’ve been included in the introduction of the book, because it adds a layer of gravitas to a story that sometimes felt too lighthearted.
While a fascinating microhistory of humans and animals surviving through the ISIS occupation of Mosul through much of the mid-2010s, Callaghan never quite found the right balance between history, politics and humanity.
Anyone going into this story expecting it to be centered exclusively on the animals of the Mosul Zoo will be disappointed. The animals, truly, are secondary until the last 25 percent of the story.
As an animal lover, the sections that featured Zombie, a lion cub, Lulu, a bear, and the assorted other animals of the Mosul Zoo were the most interesting to read. The difficulties FOUR PAWS International had in rescuing them further emphasizes the continued instability and corruption of the region.
Callaghan switches POV among a half dozen people almost every chapter, and this contributed to some confusion. The connections between the people are not clear nor how their story will lead us to the animal rescue.
While I appreciated learning about recent life in Iraq, a human history versus animal history is not the book I expected to read.
skylacine's review
4.0
Very well-written but also super depressing.
Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/2022/09/book-review-father-of-lions-by-louise.html
Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/2022/09/book-review-father-of-lions-by-louise.html
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, War, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Minor: Cannibalism
hinkleb2's review
5.0
Such an easy 5 stars for me! Nonfiction isn’t usually my favorite but I’m starting veterinary school next year and love animals so I thought I’d give this a go. This story covers SO much more than animals.
This true story begins in early 2010s before ISIS took power, during their reign in Mosul, and when they are losing their power in Mosul to the Iraqi government. Most of the book discusses this from multiple perspectives. I was almost in tears reading about what these people went through and how their freedoms and sense of safety were taken away.
A lot of the book deals with ISIS and also how Abu Laith is trying to provide for the animals at the zoo during this time. You don’t really see the “rescue mission” taking place until the last 100 pages or so.
I love how I was able to learn so much about how ISIS took power and what it was like for the Moslawis to suffer under their rule. I feel for them all so much and despite the war and suffering going around them, the adults and children sacrificed what they had in order to provide for the animals and stay positive.
I highly recommend this book! If you’re wanting to get more into nonfiction this was a great one because it reads like a fictional story. I loved all the characters so much and hope they’re all doing well today. I wish I could see Zombie and Lula now and I hope they’re living their best lives
This true story begins in early 2010s before ISIS took power, during their reign in Mosul, and when they are losing their power in Mosul to the Iraqi government. Most of the book discusses this from multiple perspectives. I was almost in tears reading about what these people went through and how their freedoms and sense of safety were taken away.
A lot of the book deals with ISIS and also how Abu Laith is trying to provide for the animals at the zoo during this time. You don’t really see the “rescue mission” taking place until the last 100 pages or so.
I love how I was able to learn so much about how ISIS took power and what it was like for the Moslawis to suffer under their rule. I feel for them all so much and despite the war and suffering going around them, the adults and children sacrificed what they had in order to provide for the animals and stay positive.
I highly recommend this book! If you’re wanting to get more into nonfiction this was a great one because it reads like a fictional story. I loved all the characters so much and hope they’re all doing well today. I wish I could see Zombie and Lula now and I hope they’re living their best lives
alysamorley's review
4.0
I'm not surprised that I liked this, as someone who loves animals. Nonfiction stories about animals are undoubtedly my favorite way to work in more nonfiction, and this one has a nice balance of narrative to break up the series stuff and add depth and complexity to the characters and story.
This story just has a lot of heart. I love animals, wildlife, nature, and basically anything of that sort, so it was really appealing to me to read about other people who loved animals, advocated for them, and wanted to help them. It was a little hard to read at times because the animals and people in the book were, at times, severely mistreated and traumatized, but it was realistic without glamorizing violence and other aspects of war. Along those lines, I appreciate this book for giving me a peek into a different culture and a different perspective on a dark time in world history.
This story just has a lot of heart. I love animals, wildlife, nature, and basically anything of that sort, so it was really appealing to me to read about other people who loved animals, advocated for them, and wanted to help them. It was a little hard to read at times because the animals and people in the book were, at times, severely mistreated and traumatized, but it was realistic without glamorizing violence and other aspects of war. Along those lines, I appreciate this book for giving me a peek into a different culture and a different perspective on a dark time in world history.