Water for Elephants Summary Review
Water for Elephants Book Cover
Water for Elephants Author Sara Gruen Accolades
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen is one of the better books I've read in awhile. It deals with unusual subject material written in a creative voice. Water for Elephants is a love story, mystery, drama, comedy and historical novel all rolled into one.
Water for Elephants is winner of the 2007 BookBrowse Diamond Award for Most Popular Book. It was nominated for two Quill Awards- General Fiction and Book of the Year. Water for Elephants hit the #1 spot on the New York Times Best-Seller list in the summer of 2007. Sara Gruen is also the author of the best-seller, "Riding Lessons".Research for Water for Elephants
Sara did extensive research about the circus life during the Great Depression before writing "Water for Elephants", and it shows. Some of the events in the novel were inspired by true stories that Sara uncovered while doing her research on circuses and elephants.
Another Sara Gruen Novel
Water for Elephants Storyline
Read about Jacob, a 90-something-year old that is now in a retirement home. He recounts his youth and tells about how he joined the circus during the Great Depression era. Jacob meets the beautiful horse trainer, Marlena. He befriends Walter the midget. And one of Jacob's best friends is Rosie, an abused elephant.
Water for Elephants reveals what circus life and the Depression may have been like. It is filled with some memorable characters. Who can ever forget Walter and his beloved dog? Or Rosie the stubborn, but heroic elephant?
Circus Elephant
Animal Lovers, Beware Before Reading Water for Elephants
Be warned that this book deals with circuses from the past before there were any regulations to protect animals. There are many scenes dealing with animal abuse. Some of them are quite graphic and disturbing.
Water for Elephants Summary
Water for Elephants does require a bit of suspension of disbelief. There are some plot points that are hard to accept. The book also has a somewhat fairytale ending. Don't let that stop you from appreciating this book. Just go with the fantasy and enjoy it.
