WATER FOR ELEPHANTS: Algonquin Books: April 2007: Fiction: 355I was completely charmed by this delightful, though sometimes gritty, story about a second rate circus in the 30’s. Jacob Jankowski narrates the story as his 93 year old self and shares how a young Ivy League educated veterinarian ends up running away with the circus. Jacob should have been on the fast track to joining his father’s veterinarian practice, but instead he gets tangled up with the Benzini Brothers Circus including a polish speaking elephant, and her rider, Marlena, who he soon grows to desperately love. Of course Marlena is already married to the erratic and abusive animal trainer, August, but when he crosses the line she is determined to run away with Jacob.
This book exposed a really interesting aspect of the depression, as the Benzini Brothers Circus followed collapsing circuses across the United States in order to “collect” the remains. It was a great historical piece that truly captured the glamor and the feel of the 1930’s circus. This book takes a bit of a twist in the end and even though I don’t usually like a neatly tied up ending, I was absolutely sold on everyone’s happy endings this time. A great, simple story.
BES
1 comment:
I did enjoy this book but was taken a little off guard by some of the content. Just be prepared for this to not be a squeaky clean book.
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