Water for Elephants: A Novel by Sara Gruen Summary and Reviews
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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!
Book Review: Wonderful
Summary: 5 Stars
Unlike the previous reviewer, I was truly 'swept away' by this book. It was so full of fascinating insights, wonderful (though not always lovable) characters and a story line that I couldn't put down. I loved the fact that all the anecdotes were taken from old circus history and I'd never heard of the great circus trains of mid 1900's America. As a bonus Ms Gruen has included some superb photos from circus archives that really complement the narrative.
Jacob Jancowski is studying for his final exams in veterinary medicine when the death of his parents leaves him in dire straits, both mentally and financially. In his confusion and despair he finds himself wandering, and before he comes to his senses he's jumped a train and entered a new life. It's a life full of highs and lows, a fast learning curve for a fresh faced lad from an Ivy League University.
Jacob, however, finds his niche and so unravels a wonderful story of an unknown time in a travelling circus.
Alongside this runs the current day Jacob, an old man in a nursing home, waiting out the end of his days, when the circus comes to town....
I loved the way the two stories were woven together at the end of the book, but I'm not going to give anything away. You'll have to read it!
My book of the year this year was Joanne Harris's "Gentlemen and Players", but at the last minute I think this book has pipped her to the post!
Book Review: Wonderful
Summary: 5 Stars
Unlike the previous reviewer, I was truly 'swept away' by this book. It was so full of fascinating insights, wonderful (though not always lovable) characters and a story line that I couldn't put down. I loved the fact that all the anecdotes were taken from old circus history and I'd never heard of the great circus trains of mid 1900's America. As a bonus Ms Gruen has included some superb photos from circus archives that really complement the narrative.
Jacob Jancowski is studying for his final exams in veterinary medicine when the death of his parents leaves him in dire straits, both mentally and financially. In his confusion and despair he finds himself wandering, and before he comes to his senses he's jumped a train and entered a new life. It's a life full of highs and lows, a fast learning curve for a fresh faced lad from an Ivy League University.
Jacob, however, finds his niche and so unravels a wonderful story of an unknown time in a traveling circus.
Alongside this runs the current day Jacob, an old man in a nursing home, waiting out the end of his days, when the circus comes to town....
I loved the way the two stories were woven together at the end of the book, but I'm not going to give anything away. You'll have to read it!
My book of the year this year was Joanne Harris's "Gentlemen and Players", but at the last minute I think this book has pipped her to the post!
Book Review: An unforgettable slice of circus life.
Summary: 5 Stars
It's 1932 and when tragedy occurs in veterinary student Jacob Jankowski's life he literally runs away to the circus. Not just any circus, the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth, which is a travelling show desperately trying to survive the Great Depression. Jacob is put in charge of the circus animals and there he meets Marlena. It's practically love at first sight for him but unfortunately Marlena is married to the sadistic animal trainer. Whilst Jacob fights his feelings for Marlena, he finds another love - Rosie, the untrainable but loving elephant.
What an utterly amazing book this is - it's crammed with wonderfully, vivid scenes of circus life, along with genuine circus pictures at the beginning of every chapter. And yes there are some scenes of cruelty but let's just say what goes around comes around. And personally I feel that these scenes serve a moral lesson in the hope that they discourage readers to ever visit circuses who use animals (yes there still are some which do!). But ultimately I felt the reason the book is such a success is due to the relationships that the author crafted between Jacob and not only the animals, but with other members of the circus.
The author's style of using chapters set in the present also makes this book even more enjoyable; the descriptions of Jacob in his 90's were poignant and beautifully written, and all the more thought-provoking as they juxtaposed with the youthful and determined young man he was in the 1930's.
I couldn't put this book down and would highly recommend it to others. It's a wonderful tale of friendship, courage and love.
Book Review: Surprisingly enjoyable.
Summary: 4 Stars
This book has been recommended to me so many times on Amazon, but the subject matter did not appeal to me at all. A book about a circus?? My sister gave it to me as a present and I read with low expectations. Boy was I surprised. I loved everything about it, the setting, the writing, the characters, I really felt drawn into their World, and liked the flashback dimension. I would highly recommend this book.