I have had a copy of this book since January of 2009 and have been hesitant to read it for fear that in one scene or another a tear provoking death of a large loveable animal with a trunk would be the end result. Over a decade ago ‘When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Life of Animals’ and I tell you, I loved that book and still have a place in my heart, and pit of my stomach, for it. Nothing makes me more emotional than animals being abused. I’m happy to say that ‘Water for Elephants’ by Sara Gruen is an excellent read and although some critters do die I’m not going to reveal if they have fur or not.
The story is told in flashbacks as a Jacob Jankowski, who may be ninety or ninety-three, remembers the death of his parents from a car accident that indirectly leads him to join a traveling circus, which isn’t quite up to par with Ringling Brothers. He was on the verge of graduating from an Ivy League vet school program when his parents’ tragedy occurs. Now that his life centers on the schedule of his nursing home where he isn’t allowed to eat anything that could be remotely described as delicious, he longs for a time when he was a young man who had his whole life in front of him.
‘Water for Elephants’ definitely deserves the critical praise and word of mouth that it has received. Gruen has done her homework as to how the circuses of the Depression Era functioned. Many of her book sources are out of print and she had some interesting tales – particularly about two different elements one of which was electrocuted thanks to the intervention of Thomas Edison. An additional tidbit that I enjoyed was that she came to Kansas City Zoo to study the elephants at our zoo.
‘Water’ has been optioned for a movie, although it and 7,200 other titles are still in development. Overall, this book is a must read for anyone interested in circuses, animals, and the 1930’s.
Westerfield © 2009
Before anyone starts nagging I’m going to own up that this wasn’t a very good review for a variety of reasons that I’m going to share. One, I wrote it after a duration from when I actually finished the book. I have gotten into trouble before for such hijinks, I wrote a review on ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ and I messed up on the name of one of the major characters…oh, and some folks let me know in a “Did you even read the book?” bitchy way. To remedy this situation from ever happening again I have started a reading diary and write in 100 words the impression a book has made on me after I have spent some time reading it.
Two, when I wrote this review I wasn’t really feeling it. Have you ever gone through that when you are writing? A while back I made some items for an animal charity auction and quite frankly I didn’t like my pieces much because I just wasn’t feeling the vibe when I was making them – it was the same with this book. Although I enjoyed it a lot and even thanked my cousin who was the one who recommended it to me, I just wasn’t in the mood to write about it.
At one time or another, I thought I would try to connect this review to the fact that I was going to the circus. After going to said circus performance I wasn’t quite as enchanted with the circus as I had been while reading ‘Water for Elephants.’ It could have been me but I just feel that most of the great circus acts have been swallowed up in various Vegas shows. L The last time I went I remember it being sort of fun. I was on a date at the time and it seemed very entertaining in a three-ring way, but this time around I found myself overly annoyed with the Eastern European sounding clown and the whole hat stealing ordeal. Plus there was no clown car. Once again, L.
I guess the main point of my addendum is that I wanted to add a little more to my review and emphasize that the book had a very satisfying ending that doesn’t leave you heaving heavy tears into a tissue, which was the reason I didn’t read the book immediately after buying it. It really is the type of book that animal lovers need to read which is a high recommendation for me. Anywho, that’s what I wanted to add. Thanks J
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Comments: 28
I too cry at the drop of a hat when reading, hearing or seeing abuse of animals in any manner, shape or form. For that reason I can't even bear to watch "Animal Cops" on television because before I know it, I have sobbed the entire hour.
I have got to read both of the books that you mentioned and especially 'Water for Elephants' which to me sounds like a real winner although both do.
Thanks Lisa!
If you want something else good to read about either the circus or elephants, there's a novel about a woman named Mabel Stark, who was a tiger trainer in the early 20th century -- I can't find it or I'd tell you the title and author, but I know her name is part of it. She had, to say the least, several unusual relationships. The novel was based on the life of a real woman, and several old circus posters actually feature her. Another good book is Hannah's Dream, which I read this summer, about an elderly zookeeper and the ailing elephant he cares for, and his attempt to find her a better home. It started slow, but by the end you adore characters so much you're willing to forgive some of its flaws. It wasn't the best book I read this year, but I enjoyed it, if that makes any sense.
One thing I must say that sort of pushed me away from this book was the cover. I love the cover with the woman who is obviously you know who, but the one that looks like her husband or the ringleader makes me feel icky. I don't know why that is the most common book cover for this book in the states.
I actually disagree about the cover -- I like the one with the ringmaster, the hardback cover, and I thought the one with the woman didn't really reflect the story very well. It's interesting how different people respond so differently to book covers, isn't it! There should be a study done somewhere.
I just remembered the other circus-themed book I was going to tell you about -- The Rain Village, which is about a girl who feels like a misfit and a freak in her family because she's so very small. She meets a woman who used to be a trapeze artist, and I won't go on from there to reveal too much but the friendship changes her life dramatically. I read it this summer, but it's actually three or four years old, I think.
I'm a sucker for the circus. I admit it. I should have run away with one and become a Mabel Stark!
Amazing sign of intellegence.
BTW, you have read 'Geek Love' haven't you?
James, that is a beautiful story! Oh my gosh, you need to write that up in a short story or something. That image is now in my mind. Thank you.
Wouldn't it be great if we were int he same book club? Maybe we should start one on Gather?
You know who I haven't heard about in a long time is Wally Lamb. Has he written anything lately?
sadly she was going to give it to me to read but then she was leaving for vegas with a friend who also wanted to read it, so i missed out.