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TL;DR: Benjamin Mee, a British journalist, and his family buy a run-down zoo in Devon, England, with a dream of reopening it. Soon after buying it, his wife is diagnosed with a brain tumor. The memoir describes the effort to restore the zoo, the loss and the community that helped.
Table of Contents
We Bought a Zoo at a Glance
| Author | Benjamin Mee |
| First published | 2008 |
| Type | Memoir |
| Best for | readers who like feel-good true stories about family and animals |
We Bought a Zoo is a memoir by Benjamin Mee, first published in 2008. The book was adapted into a 2011 film that moved the setting to the U.S. and changed several details. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, a few ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it most. The summary paraphrases the author's ideas rather than quoting them at length, so it works as a refresher or a preview, not a replacement for the book.
Content note: Contains the illness and death of a spouse.
The Story, Part by Part
A dream
Benjamin and Katherine see the zoo for sale.
The purchase
The family buys the zoo and moves.
Hard work
They face repairs, finances and animals.
Katherine's illness
Katherine's tumor returns.
Opening
The zoo reopens with help from staff and volunteers.
After loss
Mee continues with the zoo.
The Summary at a Glance
| Part | In one line |
|---|---|
| A dream | Benjamin and Katherine see the zoo for sale. |
| The purchase | The family buys the zoo and moves. |
| Hard work | They face repairs, finances and animals. |
| Katherine's illness | Katherine's tumor returns. |
| Opening | The zoo reopens with help from staff and volunteers. |
| After loss | Mee continues with the zoo. |
5 Key Takeaways
- Dreams require work.
- Community support matters.
- Loss and hope can co-exist.
- Animals bring joy.
- Family sustains.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- The film differs from the book.
- The tone is warm.
- The book is honest about grief.
Who Should Read We Bought a Zoo?
Read it if you like inspiring true stories. It is touching.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of We Bought a Zoo:
- Which moment in the author's life stayed with you longest?
- How does the author's voice shape the way you judge the people in the story?
- What would you want to ask the author if you could?
Quick Facts to Remember
- Book: We Bought a Zoo by Benjamin Mee (2008)
- Type: Memoir
- Best for: readers who like feel-good true stories about family and animals
- Main idea in one line: Dreams require work.
Reading Time and Format
A memoir is often best in one or two long sittings so the voice stays consistent. An audiobook read by the author, where one exists, can add a lot. Whichever format you choose, a library copy is a low-cost way to try the book before you buy, and used or digital editions are often cheaper than new print copies.
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether We Bought a Zoo is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full argument, examples and style, which no short summary can carry.
A simple way to get the most from it: first read the TL;DR and the takeaways to decide if the book fits your interests, then read the part-by-part section for the structure, and finally write down one idea you want to remember or one question you want answered by the full text.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of We Bought a Zoo, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary from your copy.
Should You Read the Book?
If you decide to read it, give the first chapters time. A memoir depends on voice, and the details of a life land harder in the author's own telling than in any summary. If you are still unsure, read a free sample or the first chapter, because the opening pages usually show whether the voice and subject suit you. Reviews from readers with tastes like yours can help too, but your own reaction to a few pages is the best test.
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What to Read Next
- The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman: a zoo in wartime
- All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot: a vet's stories
- Gorillas in the Mist by Dian Fossey: a primatologist's memoir
Frequently Asked Questions
Is We Bought a Zoo true?
Yes, it is a memoir.
Is the movie the same?
No, it changes the setting.
Where is the zoo?
Devon, England.
Is We Bought a Zoo worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who like feel-good true stories about family and animals. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.
Can this summary replace reading We Bought a Zoo?
No. A summary covers the main events and ideas, but it cannot carry the author's voice, detail or pacing. Use it to decide whether to read the book, to refresh your memory or to prepare for a discussion.
What are the main themes of We Bought a Zoo?
We Bought a Zoo returns again and again to a few big ideas. Dreams require work. Community support matters. Loss and hope can co-exist. Animals bring joy. Family sustains. The part-by-part summary above shows where each of these ideas appears in the story.