Water for Elephants | By Sara Gruen
May 5, 2011 in Drama, Fiction, Historical, Mainstream, Romance
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Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen is a work of fiction, historical romance, and drama set during the Great Depression when a young man must do everything he can for love and survival. Plot Jacob Jankowski is a college student learning his father’s trade of veterinary medicine so he can follow in his footsteps when his life is turned upside down. After receiving devastating news, Jacob hops the train and finds himself in a new world of the big top. This world comes with new adventures, friends, enemies, and life lessons. After proving himself, Jacob takes a job in the circus’ menagerie where he falls in love with not only the animals he cares for, but the sometimes-crazy animal trainer’s wife. Impressions I loved this book! I found it very easy to read and get lost in the story. I liked how it was told from present-day Jacob’s view looking back on his life. This helped me understand what type of man he was. I felt like I was there will him throughout this story. The setting of the Great Depression made the struggles and triumphs mean so much more. I found all the main characters; Jacob, August, Marlena, Walter, and even the elephant, Rosie, to be extremely poignant, especially when you remember the story is told from an elderly Jacob. The transitions from “memories” to “current day” Jacob were very smooth and I didn’t feel distracted or lost during these changes. If you love a romance novel with hero and heroine, then you must read this book! Favorite Scene Other than the ending…which I can’t give away! My favorite scene was when Jacob goes to see Rosie after she has received a beating at the hands of August, and he realizes she understands and responds to Polish. She isn’t the hard-headed “bull” everyone makes her out to be, she just doesn’t understand anyone but Greg, and now Jacob. In this scene, you can feel Rosie’s astonishment that Jacob can now speak to her. Favorite Quotes “When two people are meant to be together, they will be together. It’s fate.” “I stroke her lightly, memorizing her body. I want her to melt into me, like butter on toast. I want to absorb her and walk around for the rest of my days with her encased in my skin. I lie motionless, savoring the feeling of her body against mine. I’m afraid to breathe in case I break the spell.” “Keeping up the appearance of having all your marbles is hard work, but important.” |
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