When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and suddenly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, grifters, and misfits -- the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth -- a second-rate travelling circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making one-night stands in town after endless town. Jacob, a veterinary student who almost earned his degree, is put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It is there that he meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, who is married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. He also meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her. WATER FOR ELEPHANTS is illuminated by a wonderful sense of time and place. It tells a story of a love between two people that overcomes incredible odds in a world in which even love is a luxury that few can afford.
I had been eying this book for around a year or so before finally picking it up for a group read on Goodreads. The style is flowing and solid through out the entire book, and gives it a sense of true reality. You can tell that the author did her homework on the circus of that time as well as the animals and people. Even though there is animal abuse toward the middle of the book it actually helps you to become attached to some characters all the while you develop other feelings for the rest. Very very good book.
Reading updates
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5 November, 2009:
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5 November, 2009:
Reviewed