7.12.2010

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

This book introduced me to a world that I had never encountered: that of the traveling circus. We meet Jacob Jankowski when he is 90 years old - or 93 - he isn't exactly sure. From there Jacob narrates two plot lines; that of his struggles with aging in a nursing home and his experience working for a traveling circus during the Great Depression at the age of 23. The majority of the story focuses on the younger Jacob. After studying at Cornell's veterinary school, Jacob learns his parents were involved in a fatal accident and he is left with no money. He leaves his final exams without filling in one answer and decides to run away. After jumping onto a train in the middle of the night, a train which turns out to be that of the Benzini Brother's Most Spectacular Show on Earth, his fate his sealed. He begins to work for the circus - a society in and of itself, filled with it's own politics and class struggles.

I was completely swept away by the enchanted world Gruen introduced me to. It reads easily and I was completely sucked in, yet it also informs like a history lesson. Gruen explains that she spent four and half months researching and "acquiring the knowledge necessary to do justice to this subject" of the traveling circuses in America in the 1920's and '30s.

While the overall story was heart-warming, there were aspects of it that really disturbed me. I can handle a lot of raw fiction but when Gruen detailed some of the animal cruelty that was involved in these circuses, it was truly heartwrenching. However, these instances are few and far between and looking back, they add a lot to the plot and understanding of the story. Didactically, Gruen's story emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding, toward both people and animals. Rosie, an elephant who joins the circus is probably my favorite characters that is an animal out of any book. She is so fascinating because of her personality and spunk - and eventual heroism. Some of her actions in the book are taken directly from other elephants in circus history during the depression - Topsy and Old Mom - which makes it all the most fascinating.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great story or reads for escapism. Gruen's imagery makes this world come alive in a way that is so real you won't want to put it down. Also, as I mentioned before, they began filming for the movie Water for Elephants in May of 2010, with it's release scheduled for 2011. I'm really looking forward to the movie.

Publisher: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
Year of First Edition: 2006

With 335 pages, this book puts me at 1,681 pages for the 2010 Summer Reading Challenge .


15 comments:

  1. This sounds really brilliant. I find circuses so interesting and it sounds as though this story has a good sense of history which I also find applealing. You might enjoy Nights at the circus by Angela Carter if you haven't already read it....

    Thanks for sharing and happy Tuesday
    Hannah

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  2. This sounds very interesting - and hopefully a film version would do it justice.

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  3. Hannah, Thanks for the recommendation! I'll put it on my TBR list!

    Bethany, I hope so too. However, with books I really like I'm usually let down by the movie. I'll see it either way though!

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  4. Loved this book! Just great characters, story and setting. And you reviewed it nicely - thanks!

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  5. Wow! Sounds like such an interesting read! I have it on my shelf and now I'm thinking that I should move it up on my TBR list. Thanks!

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  6. Greg, Thanks! I'm glad you liked it as well.

    Nadia, I do recommend you move it up! It makes for a terrific summer read.

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  7. I've just finished this book (I read it in a day, that sucked into the plot). I think Rosie was my favourite character in the whole thing, and I loved that everyone got their happy endings (that's not a spoiler is it?).
    Loved your review, and, like you, I'm definitely looking forward to the movie.

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  8. Friande, I'm so glad you loved it! And yes Rosie will stay with me for a long time. It makes me want to get an elephant, which isn't something I would have ever said before reading this book :) As far as the happy endings, I was so happy for Jacob in the end, being able to do what he loved best. Oh so heartwarming!

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  9. I'm glad you liked this book. I must have been in a weird mood while I read this for book club a few years ago. I didn't enjoy it much, I remember the drinking and felt so bad for the animals.

    It's a great discussion book though - so much to talk about. I didn't hate it, it just left me unsettled.

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  10. Wonderful review for a wonderful book. I hope the movie will do it justice.

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  11. Mari - There are definitely elements of the book that are pretty dark. A lot of drinking and a lot of violence. Overall though I really enjoyed it.

    Man of la Books - Thanks :) I've also got high hopes for the movie. We'll see...

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  12. Just found your blog, and I was glad to find another great review on one of my favorite reads!

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  13. I have heard lots of good things about this book, but I recently read her latest book (The Ape House) and thought it was absolutely terrible. The writing was really bad and it was quite a boring storyline. Its made me too scared to read this

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  14. Becky, I don't blame you. I haven't read Ape House but if you hated it, just go ahead and skip Water for Elephants.

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  15. This book starts out shocking and ends amazing. I originally read it because I knew it was being turned into a movie with the guy from Twilight. I wasn't expecting much, and man was I surprised. This book will definitely make you laugh, cry, and even get mad.

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