Water for Elephants

I truly enjoyed Water for Elephants -- another five star book. I think it was well written and definitely a page turner. The story begins with the depiction of the disastrous event that takes place on the circus towards the end of the book - it's like a little sneak. This is really a love story of Jacob, Marlena, Rosie the elephant and their life with the circus. I have to say that Sarah truly did her research - she implemented true stories of life with a traveling circus into her novel. So basically the novel is like a compilation of many true stories rolled into one character. She made me want to research some things myself - like "Jake walk" and "Redlighting" -- both of which tragically were actually very common during that era.

The book goes back and forth between present day and the past - but most of it is set in the past. In the present Jacob is 90 or 93 years old - he can't remember which. In the past Jacob is a young 23 year old Cornell veterinary student who loses both his parents in a car accident. As a result of feeling alone and overwhelmed Jacob runs out (literally) on his final exams and ends up lost somewhere near the train tracks. He sees the circus train and decides to stow-away hoping to go anywhere but back home. Once the circus learns of his veterinary skills they make the decision to hire him and put him in charge of all the animals.


What's so interesting about a circus? Well, the book basically surrounds Jacob's love for Marlena who is married to Jacob's boss, August -- the animal trainer who has horrible mood swings and tries to feed Jacob to the lions. Later we find out that August is a paranoid schizophrenic. I mean the guy is seriously CRAZY. The book does a good job of painting a picture of life on the road and life in general during prohibition and the depression. If you ever had any ideas about running away with the circus - this book will make you change your mind.
I especially enjoyed the end of the book - it does not leave you hanging (something that I hate, by the way).

Just a little note: The life of Jacob in the book is supposed to parallel the life of Jacob in the bible (Genesis). If you don't see it - don't worry because neither did I. I think that notion is ridiculous…. and that is my only dislike here. But, the book itself is good. I fell in love with the character Jacob - the same way I fell in love with Edward (Twilight the book - not the movie). Now, I'm excited to see the movie -- I really hope it does the book justice.