Water for Elephants.At first glance, you might think this novel is all about saving elephants. But Rosie, the Polish-speaking elephant, doesn't really steal the show until about a third of the way through the book.The story itself is pretty straightforward. It's set during the Great Depression in the US, and it follows a young college student who, after some family troubles, ends up working as a vet in a traveling circus. He meets all sorts of quirky characters, including Rosie the elephant. Of ...

I picked up *Water for Elephants* after seeing the movie. You know, the one with \"that *Twilight* guy\" – who for a change was allowed to smile. And to have other facial expressions besides *\"permanently constipated\"*. The math is simple:\n \n \n \n Drum roll: Rosie the elephant works better than Ex-Lax!\n \nBut on to the book now. In addition to Jacob Jankowski's \"love affair\" with Rosie the elephant (and a noticeably less sweet affair with Marlena-the-bland-chick) we get a parallel...

Oh man, this was lovely. *Water for Elephants* by Sara Gruen was just… lovely. I don’t even know where to start with this book review because it simply swept me away. If you're looking for captivating historical fiction, look no further.

Ladies and gentlemen, direct your attention to the performer in print! You will be amazed, dazzled, and mystified by the daring feats you are about to witness. Well, that might be overstating it a bit. The story does open with drama, though. A circus menagerie has gotten loose, and there is mayhem. The narrator, Jacob, sees the ringmaster murdered. We then scoot ahead to the present. Jacob is in his 90s and looks back, revisiting his ghosts. From here, we flip back and forth between Jacob in the...

Okay, I'm just going to say it: I'm one of the people who genuinely enjoyed "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen. It was a quick read (which I always appreciate, because my TBR list is a never-ending mountain), and it was pretty easy to get into. Plus, I didn't see the ending coming until just a few pages before it happened, which definitely boosted my enjoyment. After reading "Water for Elephants", I dove into all the criticisms to sort out my own thoughts. It seems like most complaints center ...

I really wanted to like *Water for Elephants* by Sara Gruen. I truly did. I even enjoyed the first couple of chapters and was ready for a fun summer read. But eventually, the lack of imagination, the melodrama, and just plain bad writing did it in for me. At the risk of beating a dead horse (albeit a dead horse that's incredibly popular with book clubs across the US), let me list the problems (spoiler alert – not that I'd suggest you read this book anyway): 1. Neither the narrator, nor any of t...

* * REVIEW CONTAINS SLIGHT SPOILERS * *I really wanted to like this book. I think my low opinion is partially my fault, because I went into the story with high expectations because of all the rave reviews. I need to learn not to do that.The beginning of **Water for Elephants** was excellent. An Ivy League dropout, who used to be studying to be a vet, runs away and joins the circus. The time period? The Depression and Prohibition America – a historical era of uncertainty and chaos. I was looking ...

Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants is one of those rare novels that will be read and re-read, discussed and enjoyed for years to come, by readers young and old. It's destined to be passed between family and friends, back and forth, until the tattered, well-worn pages resemble the book's beloved central character and narrator. Jacob Jankowski, just days away from his final exams at Cornell University – exams that would have forever attached the respectable title of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine to ...

Now THIS is a Good Book!When I finished reading Water for Elephants, I had goosebumps. Now THIS is a good book! I was immediately engrossed and found it hard to put down as I read the story of Jacob Jankowski and his memories of his time with the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth—otherwise known as a traveling circus in 1930s America.Sara Gruen, a talented writer and storyteller, takes readers on a bumpy and tense train ride through history. This tale truly defines Americana. You w...

SPOILERS AHEAD! I'm sorry for any spoilers, I really am. It's never intentional, but as with all reviews (especially mine), there are bound to be some. I deleted all the comments harassing me about accidentally spoiling the book. Seriously, I'm sorry, but people don't need to be complete and utter jerks about it. To those of you who were nice, I really am sorry if I spoiled anything for you. I forget that Goodreads doesn't have a way of hiding spoilers… they really should. If I could give you a ...