|
Water for Elephants
|
MSRP: $29.95
Your Price: $47.99
Shipping: N/A
Manufacturer: HarperCollins Canada
|
|
|
|
|
Additional Water for Elephants Information
|
Though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside Jacob Jankowski's ninety-something-year-old mind. Memories of himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Memories of a world filled with freaks and clowns, with wonder and pain and anger and passion; a world with its own narrow, irrational rules, its own way of life, and its own way of death. The world of the circus: to Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell.
Jacob was there because his luck had run out—orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on this locomotive "ship of fools." It was the early part of the Great Depression, and everyone in this third-rate circus was lucky to have any job at all. Marlena, the star of the equestrian act, was there because she fell in love with the wrong man, a handsome circus boss with a wide mean streak. And Rosie the elephant was there because she was the great gray hope, the new act that was going to be the salvation of the circus; the only problem was, Rosie didn't have an act—in fact, she couldn't even follow instructions. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.
Surprising, poignant, and funny, Water for Elephants is that rare novel with a story so engrossing, one is reluctant to put it down; with characters so engaging, they continue to live long after the last page has been turned; with a world built of wonder, a world so real, one starts to breathe its air.
|
|
|
What Customers Say About Water for Elephants:
|
|
I was also surprised to find a good description of getting old. The story was good but had too many swear words for my taste. The circus storyline was very interesting (ie, how a circus works, what happens behind the scenes, etc). If you're interested in reading just that part of the book, skip the chapters with pictures at the beginning. In doing so, you'll also skip most of the foul language.I've given this book 3 stars, but it really should be 2 and a half.
Loved this book from start to finish. One of the best books I have read in quite some time.
Water for Elephants: A NovelI absolutely loved this book. Wonderfully written and a story so engrossing I could not put it down. I have read very little about the depression era - except of course Grapes of Wrath, and this book introduced me to a world I knew nothing about. I would recommend this book to everyone.
This is a light and whimsical tale of a man, a woman, and a circus. I love learning about the circus culture in the 1940s.
I would have never believed that I would have enjoyed this book. That turned out to be an EXCELLENT idea. The story recounted through the eyes of an old man reminiscing his youth was pulled off seamlessly. A well respected friend recommended this book to me so I pull it up online and read the synopsis. Now, after reading the book for myself I'm amazed at the few negative reviewer's comments. Well, the synopsis and subject matter regarding circus life in the mid 1900's did not interest me in the least bit. Let alone enjoyed it to the extreme level which I did. It was clear and concise reading that gave me vivid images of that era and written with short chapters that propelled me along to read just a little more each time since I was skeptical from the start.
Suffice to say I did not immediately read it. Only after subsequent prompting from my friend did I agree to give it a shot. It was like reading two stories. I'm reminded that some people complain about everything.
|
|
 |
|
|
