There, he works as the shows vet, and falls ever more in love with marlena, the star of the circus and beautiful wife of the temperamental ringmaster august. Beautifully written, water for elephants is illuminated by a wonderful sense of time and place. Also, if you want a special treat, listen to it on audiobook. Author sara gruen was a featured speaker at the 2011 awp conference held in washington d. Jacob laughs and says, im not running away, im coming home. Each week, our editors select the one author and one book they believe to be most worthy of your attention and highlight them in.
Goodreads members who liked water for elephants also liked. With a showmans expert timing, gruen saves a terrific revelation for the final pages, transforming a glimpse of americana. Water for elephants sara gruen books the new york times. People also love animals, and animals love them back. Water for elephants by sara gruen at the best online ebook storage. Water for elephants is one of my most favorite books. Water for elephants is a historical novel by sara gruen, written as part of national novel writing month.
Water for elephants teaches us that courage is everywhere, everyday. I decided to not watch the movie when i heard it was coming out simply because i didnt want to possibly ruin the experience id had with the book if the movie wasnt uptopar. Water for elephants is a book written by sara gruen that demonstrates the themes of love, courage, admiration, and suffering. Water for elephants resembles stealth hits like the giants house, by elizabeth mccracken, or the lovely bones, by alice sebold, books that combine outrageously whimsical premises with crowdpleasing romanticism. In one plot, jacob is a young guy just starting out in the world. Books that perform well based on their reader engagement are published by inkitt in different formats and channels. Sara gruen has written an utterly transporting novel richly full of the stuff of life.
Summary an atmospheric, gritty, and compelling novel of starcrossed 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, grifters, and. Later in the book, it is suggested that he is a paranoid schizophrenic, to explain his violence. Official page for sara gruen and her books, including the international bestseller water for elephants 2006. I cant think of another book which so brilliantly juxtaposes two periods in a life. Water for elephants is a rich surprise, a delightful gem springing from a fascinating footnote to history that absolutely deserved to be mined. I thought both narrators were brilliant, the way the story switched between the young and old man were exceptionally good.
These book club discussion questions reveal important details about water for elephants by sara gruen. Use these book club discussion questions on water for elephants to lead your book clubs conversation on the story. Water for elephants is a historical novel by sara gruen, written as part of national novel writing. It stars reese witherspoon, robert pattinson, and christoph waltz. It was adult, and it was realistic, and i loved it. Her works have been translated into fortythree languages and have sold more than ten million copies worldwide. The water for elephants community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you. The book begins at cornell university in new york in the 1930s. Consider the commercial success of the lovely bones or secret life of bees. Water for elephants is a book that can be read and reread, recommended and handed.
This book is every bit the fabulous escapist entertainment that the big top once was. Love is a driving force in water for elephants, and its not limited to the love one human feels for another. If you like water for elephants, you might like little heathens by mildred armstrong kalish seabiscuit by laura hillenbrand the adventures of miles and isabel by tom gilling. Books that defined a generation water for elephants. Sunday express you are so immersed in circus life that you are completely blinded by the thrilling, fatal dazzle of sequins and sawdust. Download and read online for free water for elephants by sara gruen. Review of water for elephants good books for catholic kids. Water for elephants, 2007, sara gruen water for elephants is a historical novel by sara gruen, written as part of national novel writing month. The film was released in the united states on april 22, 2011. Was it braver to kill august or to refrain from doing so. The circus, the great depression, a complex elephant, equally complex love, the mists and twists of memory articulated in the utterly winning voice of a very old man whos seen it all.
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. Joshilyn jackson, author of gods in alabama so much more than a tale about a circus, water for elephants is a compelling journey not only. Water for elephants was a completely different read for me. Water for elephants original motion picture soundtrack licensed to youtube by adrev for a 3rd party, sme on behalf of t c. Gruen transports us into the world of a thirdrate traveling circus during the great depression.
Without being trite and redundant, it explores timeless and universal themes such as finding ones destiny and freedom, life choices, love, and jealousy, put in an interesting setting, that is the circus world the early 1900s when the us prohibition and depression were taking place which is nicely recreated on screen by production designer jack. Ok, ill try to tell you a bit of what i thought about water for elephants, without spoiling anything. I have not read the novel even though i plan to do it now so im only offering my views on the movie. Water for elephants is a book that can be read and reread, recommended and handed off between friends. Water for elephants quotes by sara gruen goodreads. I sincerely adored this book and wished there was an a section 2 to it. I was going to the event and curious to read her work to consider her talent. The title, water for elephants, is almost a little inside joke with the reader once weve finished the book, that is.
Water for elephants is a story of unspeakable love, of untold secrets, and ultimately learning that life is meant to be lived as the main spectacle of a glorious headlining show, not some cheap, dingy, forgettable sideshow. Water for elephants resembles stealth hits like the giants house, by elizabeth mccracken, or the. Water for elephants is a delightful, moving book, and the ending was a very pleasant surprise. In your opinion, what is the most courageous act in the book and why. The animals are mangy, underfed or fed rotten food, and abused. An american book association indiebound best seller. Water for elephants original motion picture soundtrack licensed to youtube by sme, adrev for a 3rd party on behalf of t. A novel 9781565125605 by gruen, sara and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices.
Water for elephants though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside jacob jankowskis ninetysomethingyearold mind. Jacob, once it becomes known that he has veterinary skills. But its the setting and animal subplot that add flavor to this book. Water for elephants by sara gruen book club discussion.
Gruens novel isnt deep literary fiction exploring the big questions of life but rather a beautifully told story of one man, his coming of age, his first love, an unexpected summer filled with adventure as well. What other book might you compare water for elephants to, and why. Water for elephants movie tiein by sara gruen, paperback. In what ways and to what extent do the words pathetic grandeur describe the world that gruen creates in her novel.
The first edition of the novel was published in may 26th 2006, and was written by sara gruen. He ended up working in a circus, as the shows vet, and fell in love with the equine masters wife. The man agrees, saying that jacob will go down in the records book as the oldest man to run away with the circus. A thousand splendid suns, memory keepers daughter, etc. Sara gruen has a voice to rival john irvings, and i am hopelessly, unabashedly in love with this book. Sara gruen spares no detail in chronicling the squalid, filthy, brutish circumstances in which he finds himself. Sara gruens arresting new novel, water for elephants, explores similar subject matter the pathetic grandeur of the depressionera circus. Jul 23, 2018 water for elephants by sara gruen is a must read a story about a 90yearold man remembering his days with a circus during the great depression. The story is told as a series of memories by jacob jankowski, a 93yearold man who lives in a nursing home. I felt the book was contrived, and the author lacked depth in terms of writing talent and knowledge of the subject matter. The denver post so compelling, so detailed and vivid, that i couldnt bear to be torn away from it for a single minute. I hate being so enamored with a book and then a crappy movie version comes along and tarnishes it. Jul 12, 2007 water for elephants begins violently and then veers into weirder terrain.
I read water for elephants for our book club, and i expected it to be as slow, dull, and superficial as most of the other books we have read. At its finest, water for elephants resembles stealth hits like the giants house, by elizabeth mccracken, or the lovely bones, by alice sebold, books that combine outrageously whimsical. Water for elephants is the story of jacobs life with this circus. Jacob jankowski, a veterinary student at cornell, discovers that his parents have been killed in a car accident. Readers may find themselves churning through this book at a rapidfire pace, eager to see what lies ahead, then slowing down as they realize the pages are dwindling. With lines of startling beauty, haunting and evocative scenes and finelydrawn characters who dance off the page, readers can dip in and out of the novel, immersing themselves in jacobs memories. This book assists to remind all of us that ordinary people have phenomenal tales to tell if we would certainly just bother to reduce as well as listen. Water for elephants is a 2011 american romantic drama film directed by francis lawrence and written by richard lagravenese, based on sara gruens 2006 novel of the same name. Water for elephants is a toprated book written by sara gruen. A darling of the independent bookseller circuit, water for elephants was published by algonquin books of chapel hill, n.
Young jacob is able to do whatever his heart desires including, jumping on moving trains and fighting for the women he loves. A novel and millions of other books are available for instant. The main characters of this fiction, historical story are jacob jankowski, rosemary. However, in her 2006 novel water for elephants, sara gruen showed that the circus life might not have been as glamorous as it appeared from the outside. Joshilyn jackson, author of gods in alabama so much more than a tale about a circus, water for elephants is a compelling journey not only under the big top, but into the protagonists heart. The theme of age the theme of age if the fifth theme in the novel. Sara gruens very readable novel is a story of impossible love set in the circus world during the 1930s and is set to be made into a blockbuster film starring robert pattinson and reese witherspoon. Water for elephants is the new york times bestselling debut novel by sara gruen. 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. Aug 05, 2008 a meticulously researched, fastpaced, engaging and ultimately very satisfying novel set mostly ina depression era travelling circus. With its spotlight on elephants, gruens romantic pageturner hinges on the humananimal bonds that drove her debut and its sequel riding. Every few chapters, the narrative switches from one jacob to the other. Read water for elephants absolutely for free at readanybook.
Water for elephants book by sara gruen thriftbooks. Novelist sara gruen sweeps her readers off their feet in the opening pages of water for elephantsand doesnt let go until she deposits them at the end of her fantastic tale of passion, madness and fancy. A depressionera traveling circus is an intriguing and colorful setting for a book, and one that held a lot of promise. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of water for elephants by sara gruen. Water for elephants books and videos both are available on below shared trusted websites. The last notes of water for elephants linger long after the book ends. Pdf water for elephants book by sara gruen free download. Trust us, water for elephants is going to be one of the surprise hits of 2011. The author, sara gruen allows readers to read the book from two perspectives, one from young jacob and the other from older presentday jacob.
A meticulously researched, fastpaced, engaging and ultimately very satisfying novel set mostly ina depression era travelling circus. The most interesting aspect of the book is all the circus lore that gruen has so. Daily telegraph trust us, water for elephants is going to be one of the surprise. Novelist sara gruen sweeps her readers off their feet in the opening pages of water for elephants and doesnt let go until she deposits them at the end of her fantastic tale of passion, madness and fancy. May 26, 2006 water for elephants, 2007, sara gruen water for elephants is a historical novel by sara gruen, written as part of national novel writing month. Find books like water for elephants from the worlds largest community of readers. Jacob, the books narrator and protagonist, worked as a vet and trainer of sorts at a circus. A water for elephants discussion from reading group guides writers digest interview with sara gruen. Apr 22, 2011 8 big differences between water for elephants book and movie apr.
Water for elephants by sara gruen is a must read a story about a 90yearold man remembering his days with a circus during the great depression. She wrote the book as part of national novel writing month. Free download or read online water for elephants pdf epub book. Mar 01, 2011 water for elephants was a completely different read for me. Water for elephants questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on water for elephants. Its the story of jacob, who runs away to the circus during the depression when his life falls apart around him. Water for elephants has two plots going on, both starring the same main character, jacob. I need to read the authors biography more carefully in the future. See more of official water for elephants movie on facebook. With gruens bestselling book as his source material here, lawrence. Oct 06, 2015 water for elephants 2011 bdrip 1080p rus. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 335 pages and is available in paperback format. The two readers, david ledoux and john randolph jones, did a wonderful job of bringing both jacobs young and old to life. Cant say ive ever been curious enough about its workings to read a book revolving around one, but i am so glad i did because it was sooo much more than that.
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