ASIN: B003I1WY2A
Description:
An atmospheric, gritty, and compelling novel of star-crossed lovers, set in the circus world circa 1932, by the bestselling author of Riding Lessons.
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.
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Comments:
This book by Ms. Gruen is truly wonderful literature, not simply a story. The story is wonderful, but the methods she uses to weave the human existance into it is simply breathtaking. If you do not like to cry after reading a book, I recommend you avoid it. The bittersweet human connection in this book is outstanding and she has truly captured circus life in the depression years as no other book has ever done. A truly wonderful read.
