Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Water for Elephants



Oh gosh, I can't even put into words how much I LOVED this book!

I've never known anything about the circus life and honestly, I was skeptical about whether or not this would be a good read, but boy, oh, boy! I was so immersed from the very start.

It's a wonderful, colorful story about love, tragedy, life during the depression, and the ruthlessness of some people in business.

The main character, Jacob, experiences a horrible tragedy at the end of his college career in Veterinary school and it leads him onto a path where he jumps a train one night, which ends up being a circus train. At that, he's thrust into the circus life.

At the same time, Jacob is an old man, 90 or 93, he's not sure which, in an assisted living facility and he's a grumpy old man. His grumpiness may be offensive to some, but I think he's so cute. I can only imagine how frustrating it would be to be at that point in your life and you're once again treated like a baby, when you were once an active, vibrant, successful man.

This story, though, switches between the current day with him in the assisted living facility and his wonderful recollections of circus life.

It's also the story of Marlena, the beautiful performer and Rosie, the misunderstood elephant.

The story is full of conflict and lots of twists and turns. It never slowed down and it never got boring.

I just loved this story so much and I definitely highly recommend it!

13 comments:

  1. I am so glad you liked this book. I feel the same way about it. It was once of those books that you just want to crawl inside of and never leave. My only complaint was the ending with Jacob. Do I really think something like that would happen? Not really.

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  2. I know, the ending was unexpected, but I liked it, because it was sweet and redeemed all that he'd been feeling while confined in the nursing home.

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  3. I loved this book too... and was also pleasantly surprised. I didn't know that I'd even be interested in reading about the circus. ;)

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  4. I started reading this book, and was really interested, but I put it down because it just was -- for lack of a better word -- too dirty for me. Now I want you guys to write a spoiler so I know how it ends!!! :)

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  5. Ohhhhhhh, so THAT'S why you put it down! I was wondering what made you quit. I know there are some dirty spots, but it's really not like that throughout... I don't think... how far did you read into it, Alynn?

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  6. I read this book a few years ago and I loved it! I read it for a book club I was in then.

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  7. I just reserved this book on CD from the library! I can't wait :)

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  8. I tried to read this one last year sometime and had to stop because it wasn't holding my interest. I was kind of far into it too. Hmmmmmmmmmmm. Apparently, I should try it again.

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  9. Erica, you're kidding me!!! OH, I agree with Tempie, for me, it was the kind of book I just wanted to jump into and never have it end.

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  10. I skipped over the part about the lady in the back tent (Brenda? Barbra?) but finally gave up when Jacob caught his room mate. Ummm... ew. Not a picture I really need popping up in my dreams. :)

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  11. I did not just say "popping up"!!! LOL!

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  12. Oh, okay! Ha! I had forgotten about that scene, but yeah, that was a little crude. :)

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  13. I just finished this book. I Liked it a lot! I can't say I LOVED it... there was so much that I had to skip over (book on CD), as there was a lot of dirty parts to it- there was a little too much swearing for my taste as well- BUT the story line was awesome.
    I fell in love with 'old Jacob'.. my heart just went out to him.

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