Water for Elephants: A Novel
by Sara Gruen

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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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great read ( Loved It! )
We all thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a really interesting look at at time in modern history- the depression era all seen through the characters who worked in a travelling circus.
Reviewed by mare 7 months ago

Reading it now ( no rating )
I'm reading it now. So far it's pretty good, love the imagery.
Reviewed by BanSilini about 1 month ago

Water for Elephants, hard on animal lovers ( no rating )

Reviewed by Vicki about 1 month ago

Water for Elephants, hard on animal lovers ( no rating )
This was hard for me to listen to on CD. The characters voices conveyed a hardness and created an atmosphere of foreboding cruelty throughout the entire book giving no audible rest from it. Had I read this book I would have imbued the characters with a kinder tone in my head. In books and movies I like to have a character that I can enjoy, take refuge in. The real life of railroad circuses was probably even harsher but what a great introduction to this insular world. I enjoyed the historical aspects, circus lingo and the humor. Could have used a little more comic relief! I thought the ending was a little too neatly tied in a bow but I am glad I took the ride.
Reviewed by Vicki about 1 month ago

Great Novel ( Loved It! )
Beautifully written story.
Reviewed by MissS 7 days ago

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