Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Jacob Jankowski has seen it all. He even worked for the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. He found himself on the train by accident. He stayed because he had nowhere else to go. Jacob met and fell in love with the start of the show Marlena but she was married. So he had to struggle with not only his feelings for her but his place in the show. Those months of his life were unchangeable and left their mark. But now as a man of 93, he kept recalling the memories and had to battle the feelings he had now.

Sara Gruen is an incredible writer. She writes characters that are so engaging. I couldn’t put the book down. I had to find out what would happen between Jacob and Marlena. The story was so inviting because I had always wondered what it would be like to be part of a circus. She didn’t dash any dreams but gently gave a wake up call to make me realize it’s not all fun and games. It is serious hard work and life can change in a moment.

I admired Jacob the most. He really did all he could to make his job work. Giving up as much as he did was incredible but there wasn’t all that much to give up in his mind. He really focused and stepped up to all the challenges. I also liked Marlena but I loved Rosie. Rosie was a sweet elephant who just needed love to get things right. Once that happened, she was able to do what was asked of her. I didn’t care how the animals were treated sometimes in the book but at that time they thought they knew best.

The book was enjoyable. It was also a quick read for me. I got pulled into the book so much that I didn’t want it to end. I can see why this book got such rave reviews because the writing, the storyline, and the characters are so good that you have to keep turning the pages. I highly recommend this book to not only people who like history but adventure and a little romance on the side.

I give this book a 6/5. I hope to read more but Sara Gruen soon.


Next up is Miracle on 49th Street by Mike Lupica. But off to go do laundry. :)