Who Would Like This Book:
Step right up to a captivating blend of history, romance, and circus lore! "Water for Elephants" delivers a richly atmospheric ride through a Depression-era circus, brimming with colorful characters (human and animal alike) and plenty of behind-the-scenes drama. Sara Gruen’s well-researched details will delight historical fiction fans, animal lovers, and anyone drawn to stories about love, survival, and the price of following your heart. It’s especially rewarding for readers who enjoy dual timelines and reflective, character-driven storytelling.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers aren’t enamored with the romance, finding it predictable or lacking depth, and felt certain characters - particularly Marlena - weren’t fully fleshed out. Others were turned off by the scenes depicting animal cruelty, or by the darker, sometimes gritty tone of circus life. If you’re not a fan of books where the plot occasionally leans on convenient twists or you dislike stories that move between past and present, this might not be your ideal pick.
About:
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen is a novel set in the Great Depression era, following the story of Jacob, a young man who joins a traveling circus after a tragic incident. The book alternates between the past, where Jacob experiences the ups and downs of circus life, and the present, where an elderly Jacob reflects on his memories while living in a nursing home. The narrative provides a glimpse into the unique and fascinating world of the circus, with well-fleshed out characters and a storyline that explores themes of love, aging, and the challenges faced during that era.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers include animal cruelty, domestic violence, and themes of mental illness.
Has Romance?
The novel explores significant romantic tension and relationships, especially between Jacob and Marlena.
From The Publisher:
Over 10,000,000 copies in print worldwide
#1 New York Times Bestseller
A Los Angeles Times Bestseller
A Wall Street Journal Bestseller
A Newsday Favorite Book of 2006
A USA Today Bestseller
A Major Motion Picture starring Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz
Jacob Janowski's luck had run out-orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was the Great Depression and for Jacob the circus was both his salvation and a living hell. There he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but brutal animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this group of misfits was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.
Ratings (169)
Incredible (32) | |
Loved It (77) | |
Liked It (27) | |
It Was OK (21) | |
Did Not Like (10) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (262):
Read It (184) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (57) | |
Not Interested (20) |
4 comment(s)
Water for Elephants flashes back and forth between the Benzini Brothers’ Circus in Depression-era America, and the present day, in which the protagonist, Jacob Jankowski, is an old man in his nineties.
The problem is that Jacob never really grows or develops during the circus part of the novel. Things just happen to him. Characters like August and Al, the villains, are very dramatic, but a good two-dimensional villain can be quite enjoyable with a bit of showmanship, as these were.
Interesting as the slice-of-life about the circus was, the love story didn’t add much, if anything. This book was elevated by Jacob’s musings on old age in the present day. The ending was incredibly stupid, but I liked the rest well enough.
In summary, it’s not something I’d read again and it’s about a third too long, but the writing’s okay and it was a decent read.
I really really enjoyed this. It was a fast read (I think I read the entire thing on one 4.5 hour cross-country flight) with engrossing characters.
Excellent book! Great character development. Very touching and inspiring story. Can't wait to see the movie!
I want to give it 4 stars but this book hurt my heart more than anything.
What can you read after
Water for Elephants?
About the Author:
Sara Gruen is the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of At the Water's Edge,Water for Elephants, Ape House, Riding Lessons, and Flying Changes. Her works have been translated into forty-three languages and have sold more than ten million copies worldwide. Water for Elephants was adapted into a major motion picture starring Reese Witherspoon, Rob Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz in 2011. She lives in western North Carolina with her husband and three sons, along with their dogs, cats, horses, birds, and the world's fussiest goat.
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