Water for Elephants: A Novel
by Sara Gruen
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Book Summary Information
Author: Sara GruenEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2007-04-09
ISBN: 1565125606
Number of pages: 350
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Book Reviews of Water for Elephants: A Novel
Book Review: A nice way to pass a few hours...
Summary: 4 Stars
Water for Elephants is primarily a romance set in a travelling circus in the 1930s, but we do also see the main character Jacob Janowski as he is in old age in an old folks Home.
The novel was obvoiusly well researached, many of the events in the novel are based on real happenings, and for this reason it was very enjoyable. I learned about 'red-lighting' and the etiquette of the time surrounding performers fratenising with circus hands!
I did have some difficulty with the book being written as a first person narration. I think that Gruen gave herself unnecessary problems writing in this way, with Jacob witnessing conversations that it was unlikely he would have been involved in and making observations that seemed a little unlikely with what we knew about his character and experience. However this is a minor critisism.
I loved Rosie the elephant and Queenie the terrier, but animal lovers should be warned there is some pretty nasty animal cruelty in the book. It's well written but a little difficult to stomach.
All in all, a great book with a satisfying conclusion to both the young and the old Jacob storylines. I have deducted one star only because although I enjoyed the book, I wasn't really swept away.
Enjoy!
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