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Alison's Reviews > Water for Elephants
Water for Elephants
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This novel is equipped with the unlikeliest of heroines--a circus elephant named Rosie. This is also the story of Jacob, a twenty-something vet student in Depression-era America. Through a series of events, he ends up "running away with the circus."
The set-up and unfolding of the story are not to be spoiled. The main themes are of romantic love; family; loyalty; love for animals; violence and kindness; desperation for employment and wealth and the dark side of man that goes with it; aging; fitting-in.
The narrative is buried within a period piece illuminating events such as prohibition, the great Depression, circuses that travelled on trains in the early 1900's and what they involved--their infrastructure and their "magic." It's a sweet story...clean--an innocent tale of good versus evil with an upbeat ending. It's for everyone.
This story was action-packed and kept my attention. I could already picture this as a movie...it would be a good one. I can see someone like Ron Howard directing this and all the beauty of the circus...the animals, the lights and the colors coming to life on the big screen.
Also of note: the author, Sara Gruen, has said that the "backbone" of her novel "parallels the biblical story of Jacob." Will have to look into that...
The set-up and unfolding of the story are not to be spoiled. The main themes are of romantic love; family; loyalty; love for animals; violence and kindness; desperation for employment and wealth and the dark side of man that goes with it; aging; fitting-in.
The narrative is buried within a period piece illuminating events such as prohibition, the great Depression, circuses that travelled on trains in the early 1900's and what they involved--their infrastructure and their "magic." It's a sweet story...clean--an innocent tale of good versus evil with an upbeat ending. It's for everyone.
This story was action-packed and kept my attention. I could already picture this as a movie...it would be a good one. I can see someone like Ron Howard directing this and all the beauty of the circus...the animals, the lights and the colors coming to life on the big screen.
Also of note: the author, Sara Gruen, has said that the "backbone" of her novel "parallels the biblical story of Jacob." Will have to look into that...
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Reading Progress
September 8, 2007
– Shelved
Started Reading
November 1, 2007
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Finished Reading
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Jennifer Love
(last edited Aug 25, 2016 01:36PM)
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rated it 5 stars
Nov 07, 2007 08:38AM
Did you ever read this?
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I'm about half way done. It's good! I looked for Confessions...last night at the library, but it was out.
It was so strange-I just spotted it at the library(in Bham) and read it, and it turned out to be really good. It's a book that has stuck in my mind, because the topic is so unique.
It's very popular on GoodReads. Did you read where the author was fired from her job and decided not to find another one. She took a year off, wrote this book, then nobody would publish it. Finally, some one picked it up, and it sold millions. Then she sold the movie rights for more millions.
Never heard that. Let me know what you think when you finish. It was a satisfying ending.
O.K. Didn't read any in Corinth. This will make a great movie. I think Shia LeBouf in the lead (O.K.--or Wentworth Miller--haha).
Like your review. You're such a show-off on your reviews. Haha. I just can't compete. I just looked at my book list. I am such an idealistic reviewer! I just love books, and some aren't that enjoyable, but I admire the writing and the story! I've never even given a 2 star. Looking back, I'd prob. change some to 3's but I don't want everyone getting the emails. Do you know how to update things without everyone getting the emails? What an interesting fact about the Jacob story. Let's discuss. I plan to read on that tonight in the Bible. I can't connect it all yet.
Yes. Go to your home page. Select...I think it's edit my profile. From there you can select what you get and what other people get. I turned mine off a while back. I talk in the groups every day, and I can't imagine you all constantly having to deal with that.
Alison, I wondered about the parallels between Jacob and his Biblical namesake myself. Other than working for seven years, and having a son named Simon (similar to Simeon) I can't figure it out.
I don't know! I never did the research. I think I read that on the author's website. You might check that out. I'm not sure if Jennifer looked into this. Jennifer, are you there?
Alison -- Wentworth Miller, eh? Well, okay! I still haven't read WFE and it will be a while given the backlog of books I'm dealing wtih at the moment.
Hey Dottie! Our point was kind of, we'd watch WM in a film adaptation of ANYTHING EVER WRITTEN!! (haha). I've never heard a negative word about this book. I think you'll like it.
Shia isn't at all what I pictured.
Okay -0- I've heard nothing but great things on WFE and have really had it in the room on the shelf since it came out -- but as I say -- it will be a while. As for WM in anything -- I'm with you there -- Prison Break junkie -- that's me -- right from the beginning! And so with the strike I guess it won't be back when it was supposed to be back -- SIGH.
I just stopped reading this book because I was enjoying it SO MUCH I wanted to savor it. I'm traveling next week cross country and thought this will make a wonderful book to read in flight. Now, after reading some of the reviews I'm worried! I guess I'll take a back up book just in case although you're review is giving me some hope. I've loved the first three chapters. I love the dialouge - although there are so many complaints of the prose...weird. I had no expectations - had no idea what the book was about and can't really remember why I bought it a couple of years ago. I didn't finish your review because of the spoilers but you've given me HOPE that I'll be occupied for the almost 8 hours of traveling next week! I admit in the first couple of chapters I could almost smell the nursing home. I could hear the train. I'm shocked at some of the reviews that say the prose is so terrible. Wishing me luck!
I just want to thank you for recognizing Rosie as the heroine, and not Marlena :) So many people are saying it was her, and wondering why her character was so bland. I don't think they considered the time period- therefore the rights of women- and what little they were allowed to do. Thank you for your review ^.^
Thank you for yours. :)
