Port Orange Regional Library
1005 City Center Circle
Port Orange, Florida  32129
Jane Weimer, Regional Librarian

 

 

The Book Blurb

Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants Reviewed by Barbara Brown, Volunteer

Did you ever want to run away and join the circus?

In Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants, life hands Jacob Jankowski a bowl of lemons and, in desolation, he runs away only to find himself with the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Adding to Jake's desperation is the time frame of the Depression, and his being penniless, homeless, and unemployed. Jacob starts at the bottom and learns the "ropes" of the traveling circus, educating himself in life, work, and people.

Jacob's prior study of veterinary medicine makes him the logical choice for taking care of the circus menagerie: the horses of the star performer, Marlena; an elephant, Rosie, who has a great personality and a well kept secret; August, Marlena's cruel husband and owner of the circus; Kinko, the bitter dwarf; and Uncle Al, the devious business manager. Jack is everyone's defender, be they animals, dwarves, women, or assorted ethnic groups.

Told in flashback, the story begins with Jacob as a ninety-three year old living in an assisted living facility when a traveling circus sets up in a nearby parking lot. Jake's mind wanders back in time and relates, to the reader, his life from a young man with a great potential future, to the crisis that brought his life to the circus and the aftermath of a disaster there. This book combines adventure, love, suspense and a surprise ending with good writing and lively characters. There are interesting 1930's circus photos at the start of each chapter. I was attracted by the title of this book and was not disappointed with the storytelling. Adult content.

Rating: 3 1/2 out of 4 stars.