Water for Elephants: A Novel

A really enjoyable, fun read. It's not great literature, but there's plenty of plot intrigue and historical interest to get you hooked. This one kept me reading till 1 a.m. a few nights. A delight!

I & my husband both, enjoyed this book -- about how it feels to get old, while giving the inside story of how circus life was in the early 1900's.Great characters, book made me feel like I was there....

What is a life worth? How do you judge if someone is worth saving? What does it mean to be human? What or who is really an animal? Why can an individual choose how to live but not how to die? Who has the power to answer these questions? How do you know that person is right?

Hidden beneath this easy-to-read though dark coming of age romance is a novel that prompts the reader to ask the above through the reminiscing of protagonist Jacob Jankowski who is prisoner in fact to old age and in feeling to a nursing home. The story begins as the circus rolls into town and the flood of Jankowski's past full of pleasure, joy, love, hate, regret & guilt washes over him.

Sara Gruen brings the Circus Culture of the mid 20th century to life through meticulous research, both the bright spot light and the grittier nature of transitory existence. Anyone who ever dreamed of running away to the big top or just dreamed of running away should read this book.

The main character I can sympathize with and can appreciate. You can really imagine what it would be like to be in his shoes in this book. It does a great job of explaining what that particular circus was like back then. I couldn't really picture it until I was able to read the book. Im glad I read it. No complaints! Especially if you love animals!!!

I bought this book on a whim. I live in a country where books written in English are hard to come by which forces me to buy from Amazon and pay almost double for a book I order because of the cost of postage. But I love to read, therefore I decided that I would give in to temptation and splurge.
And boy! was I rewarded! This book which describes the memories and dreams of an old man is a touching story of old age. Wonderfully written. Ms Gruen has talent.