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Karen's Reviews > Water for Elephants
Water for Elephants
by
by
Karen's review
bookshelves: good, uncomfortable, book-discussion-perfect, compelling, creates-questions, engaging, haunting, heart-felt, page-turner, thought-provoking
May 01, 2023
bookshelves: good, uncomfortable, book-discussion-perfect, compelling, creates-questions, engaging, haunting, heart-felt, page-turner, thought-provoking
I read this awhile ago when I was in my library book discussiongroup, and I am now bringing my review to ŷ.
It is a story of Jacob and his encounter with a circus train during the height of the Great Depression.
The novel is vivid with its unique world of clowns, rogues and heroes.
It combines excitement and tawdriness, tragedy and comedy in the narrative.
Jacob is like an accidental hero who stumbles on the circus train after a family tragedy and decides to make the circus his life and love. We see Jacob in his present (90 something) and the past as a veterinarian with the circus.
The story is heartfelt, entertaining, poignant, but also sad because of the intolerable cruelty that happens within the circus of yesteryears.
It really gives a full experience of the human condition, as well.
It is a story of Jacob and his encounter with a circus train during the height of the Great Depression.
The novel is vivid with its unique world of clowns, rogues and heroes.
It combines excitement and tawdriness, tragedy and comedy in the narrative.
Jacob is like an accidental hero who stumbles on the circus train after a family tragedy and decides to make the circus his life and love. We see Jacob in his present (90 something) and the past as a veterinarian with the circus.
The story is heartfelt, entertaining, poignant, but also sad because of the intolerable cruelty that happens within the circus of yesteryears.
It really gives a full experience of the human condition, as well.
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Water for Elephants.
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Reading Progress
May 1, 2023
– Shelved
Started Reading
May 17, 2023
– Shelved as:
good
May 17, 2023
– Shelved as:
uncomfortable
May 17, 2023
–
Finished Reading
August 2, 2023
– Shelved as:
book-discussion-perfect
August 2, 2023
– Shelved as:
compelling
August 2, 2023
– Shelved as:
creates-questions
August 2, 2023
– Shelved as:
engaging
August 2, 2023
– Shelved as:
haunting
August 2, 2023
– Shelved as:
heart-felt
August 2, 2023
– Shelved as:
page-turner
August 2, 2023
– Shelved as:
thought-provoking
Comments Showing 1-18 of 18 (18 new)
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message 1:
by
Julia
(new)
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rated it 4 stars
May 18, 2023 12:55AM
amazing book.
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Julia wrote: "amazing book."Yes..
I'll admit to finding this book excruciatingly boring and light, more of a "housewives reading circle" book - which is not to denigrate either housewives or the fact that they're reading since I'm an avid supporter of both! - than anything else. By the way, I read some women's reviews of the book as disgusting and pornographic; since there were only two mentions of anything sexual, and the second was a foggy remembrance of a drunken encounter, I assume they meant the stripper at the fairgrounds. So maybe it's not for all women...
Dennis wrote: "I'll admit to finding this book excruciatingly boring and light, more of a "housewives reading circle" book - which is not to denigrate either housewives or the fact that they're reading since I'm ..."I don't know how to respond Dennis. It was an uncomfortable book for me - and I facilitated the discussion. But it was vivid, and it felt real. She is a good writer.
You don't have to respond, of course! Was it uncomfortable because of the animal cruelty? It was realistic as there was no regulation at the time. It's the same as the stripper scene, it would be a little tame now, designed more for men who married the first woman who said yes and didn't have anything to base fantasies on. I've never read anything else by her but this felt light and, more important, a woman writing in the voice of a man, which is why her voice probably sounded inauthentic to me. This is why I called it a "woman's book" because that false note would be less noticeable to a woman. The same as a man writing in a woman´s voice, a tough task that most writers fail at.
Dennis wrote: "You don't have to respond, of course! Was it uncomfortable because of the animal cruelty? It was realistic as there was no regulation at the time. It's the same as the stripper scene, it would be a..."Good points! :) P.S. - Actually, I do want to respond, because I respect that you have taken the time to write - and I appreciate you for doing that, Dennis. :)
Wow, You write such great reviews and make it sound so appealing with only a few sentences:The novel is vivid with its unique world of clowns, rogues and heroes.
It combines excitement and tawdriness, tragedy and comedy in the narrative.
Stephen wrote: "Wow, You write such great reviews and make it sound so appealing with only a few sentences:The novel is vivid with its unique world of clowns, rogues and heroes.
It combines excitement and tawdr..."
Thank you so much Stephen. She was a good writer, even though this was an uncomfortable read. It was also an interesting discussion group, too. :)
I read this eons ago (decades) and yet I still remember the story. Circus as a business that traveled had totally easier "rules" then as opposed to later in the century. Now they almost extinct re fire laws alone.
Memories! Great review !
Jeanette wrote: "I read this eons ago (decades) and yet I still remember the story. Circus as a business that traveled had totally easier "rules" then as opposed to later in the century. Now they almost extinct re ..."To be honest, circuses are not my favorite thing - because of what they typically have done with animals. I feel the same way about zoos. So this was the hardest part of reading - and our discussion. So, I am glad that circuses have changed. Right?! :)
Jayme wrote: "Memories! Great review !"Thank you, Jayme. Yes, long ago read.
I remember enjoying it too.
I remember liking this one ... but it's been a LONG time. I'm going to have to revisit it =)
Jenni wrote: "I remember liking this one ... but it's been a LONG time. I'm going to have to revisit it =)"Thank you for commenting Jenni! :)
Adina wrote: "I remember enjoying it too."I will go take a look at your review Adina. :)
MarilynW wrote: "Wonderful review, Karen! 🐘"Thank you Marilyn. Love your emoji! :)
