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An atmospheric, gritty, and compelling novel of star-crossed lovers, set in the circus world circa 1932, by the bestselling author of Riding Lessons.
Algonquin Books
May 2006
335 pages
ISBN: 1565124995
Hardcover
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Historical
When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and suddenly
adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of
freaks, drifters, and misfits, a second-rate circus
struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making
one-night stands in town after endless town. A veterinary
student who almost earned his degree, Jacob is put in charge
of caring for the circus menagerie. It is there that he
meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian
act, who is married to August, the charismatic but twisted
animal trainer. He also meets Rosie, an elephant who seems
untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her.
Beautifully written, Water for Elephants is
illuminated by a wonderful sense of time and place. It tells
a story of a love between two people that overcomes
incredible odds in a world in which even love is a luxury
that few can afford.
AwardsAmerican Bookseller Association, Adult Fiction, March 2007
Comments
1 comment posted.
Re: Water for Elephants
I just finished Water for Elephants. My father used to take me to see the Ringling Bros.Circus train come in. It was beautiful. He was a welder so would get jobs fixing axels and wagon parts. We then got free tickets for the performance. We did not go but instead, took fixed parts back and got invited to eat with the clowns, and performers. It was so exciting. I wanted to be in the circus when I grew up. To this day, I love the smell of elephant poop and hay. Circuses are not that way any more. I loved the book because I could relive my childhood experiences. The treatment of the people and animals did bother me.
(Carol Lunke 10:27pm February 19, 2011)
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