"So long ago. So long. But still it haunts me." -Scott Nickley

books:


	• Water for Elephants: A Novel Sara Gruen Algonquin Books, 2007 - 350 pages average customer review:based on 1314 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Rich and Sexy Writing

I bought this book on a whim and was delightfully blown away and enthralled. While the book is set against the background of Depression-era America and a financially unstable circus, the test is a steady flow of rich description creating an atmosphere of almost magical realism. The decriptive prose alone was enough for me to reccomend the novel.

The story too is wonderful, filled with likable and quirky characters, including an onerous elephant. Framed by the present day expereinces of the main character in a nursing home the story is nicely contained and given closure.

Perhaps the most enjoyable part of the novel, however, is the wealth of circus history and jargon interspersed throughout the story. Gruen has obviously done her research and as a result the circus culture portrayed is dynamic and believable, filled with interesting tidbits and lingo.

It was a great weekend read!

*by sexy I mean opulent and enticing, not so much the other way :)

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water for elephants

i really enjoyed this. it made me think of my mother and her stories and recollections of the past

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Water for the spirit...

It's clear why this unusual work wound up on the NY Times Bestseller List. It captures a time and environment that stirs the curiosity of young and old. Who wouldn't be interested in exploring the dysfunctional dynamics of the circus family, during the perilous era of the early 30's. It allows you to finally be able to, run away to the circus, in the comfort of your easy chair. And, as intriguing as some scenes might be, it makes you just as glad you never did.

While written simplistically, the messages run deep. The cruelty that existed during those hard times and the effect on man and beast, were heartbreaking. It was particularly difficult to envision the animal abuse and neglect, but it was so integral to the story that you had no choice. It was a reminder, that left unchecked and unsupervised, that the weakest amongst us will frequently be delegated the scapegoats. It was also a reminder of the evil that can lurk in man's soul.

Visiting the Senior Jankowski was particularly delightful. A mere "90, or maybe 93," as he frequently chimed, his struggle to retain dignity and independence was inspirational and beautifully drawn out. Gruen also did a great job moving seamlessly between the Senior Jankowski and his youthful, 23 year old counterpart. Sometimes I wouldn't even notice, even though decades separated the characters...they were still as one, struggling with the angst of the past and uncertainty of moving toward the end of life.

I've read reviews where some took exception to using Schizophrenia as an excuse for one of the characters cruelty and explosive episodes, as his behaviors were not typical for Schizophrenia. However, in the 30's Schizophrenia was viewed as a "split personality," becoming a catch-all for describing many signs of mental illness, so I don't believe this should detract from the story.

My grievances are few, but I did have some issues with the ending, which I found unrealistic. But, on the other hand, much of the story was so dark that I think we had to be given light at the end, to have the closure we needed for these very special characters.

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"So long ago. So long. But still it haunts me." -Scott Nickley

The circus is a wonderful place of acrobatic stunts and magical happenings. Sara Gruen perfectly captures this aspect of the circus in her captivating story called Water for Elephants. The book is about a young boy who is almost out of veterinary school when he is told that both of his parents have been killed in a car accident. He then goes astray and finds his way onto the train of a traveling circus. The story is a memory being told by an older version of this boy named Jacob Jankowski. Gruen tells a marvelous story through her use of detailed flashback in order to develop the character of Jacob.
Almost the entire book is told as the memory of an old man. The reader goes back and forth between the present in the past. Jacob remembers everything back then in perfect detail and there are things in his day to day life that remind him of his time back with the Benzini Bros circus. He also remembers it in such great detail because he is so haunted by a secret that he had to keep for a friend. This shows his character because even though he is getting older, he is still fighting to remember that past because he feels that it is all he has in life.
Water for Elephants is a great read for anyone looking for a book that has just about everything in it. There is action, deceit, love, and the always exciting circus. Gruen does a great job throughout the story of keeping the reader interested and involved and readers will find this book hard to put down.

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Expected so much more

Good intentions and great expectations sometimes make a so-so read. Don't get me wrong, I liked the basic premise of this story. What could be more intriguing than a young man joining the circus in such a haphazard way? And in the grueling Depression years? We can only anticipate the things he will discover. Well--some of the dialogue here and the characters are good--it's just that the main character seems hard to grasp. The point of view shifts around in this story, which brings a frustration in ever getting to know this character! Some scenes were quite vivid and even enjoyable, but woven altogether, there's much to be desired here. At least, for me. And the meandering way to the conclusion. That, in itself, did not work for me. Ultimately, I just don't understand the incessant hoopla over this book.

For my time, give me the not as popular, SIM0N LAZARUS. Now that's a richly engaging and hilarious read more should know about. Afterall, Eckhart Tolle says it's a "book to be treasured." He is so right.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

As a young man, Jacob Jankowski was tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. It was the early part of the great Depression, and for Jacob, now ninety, the circus world he remembers was both his salvation and a living hell. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was there that he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great gray hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and, ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.

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