Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (2007, Paperback, Reprint)

I ordered the book "Water for Elephants" to read for our Book Club. I was notified on July 23rd that I won the bid. To date I have not received the book - after numerous e-mails back and forth I asked for a refund and have not received a reply. I don't need the book anymore as our book review is over. Needless to say, I am not happy.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story of life in a circus. I liked the characters and the interactions between the main character and all those he comes in contact with in the circus. It is very believable and told so well that after I had finished the book, I feel that I have experienced what it must be to be in a circus. The pictures in the book also helped in the surrealism of the tale. The parts in the story that I did not enjoy as much are the chapters having to with the main characters current situation. Although, I did not think those parts of the story were as interesting as his previous life, I would still highly recommend the book.

I bought this book as it was picked for my monthly bookclub selection. Our bookclub has been going strong for over 5 years with very few people leaving because of the great group of women and great bookclub picks. Most of the time, we are split 50/50 as to if we consider a book a good read or not. This book was picked unanimously as one of the best books we have ever read! It catches you by page 2 and keeps you enthralled until the end. The writers style is not pretentious or overly descriptive but you can relate in some way to each of the characters. You feel what they are feeling, you see what they see and you understand why they do what they do. I have passed this book on and I have a feeling it will be continued to be passed on. I am planning to check ebay for more books by this author.

Following the life of Jacob Jankowski from old age to youth and back again was an adventure. The transition from youth to old age is believable and as natural as reminiscing or dreaming about times of your own youth.
This is a book for anyone with aging parents, relatives and friends. It makes the reader look at the elderly in a different light. Hopefully it will make some people stop and listen the the stories and life experiences of the elderly.
The story of a second rate circus during the depression is so very interesting. From the roustabouts to the performers to the animals, every character had their own quirks, egos and place in the hierarchy of the circus. Rosie the elephant is one of my favorite characters--A very smart animal who only understands Polish commands when she is purchased from a bankrupt circus in Joliet.
You have heard it before, but I couldn't put it down. It's a quick read that I hated to see end.

My husband bought me this book for christmas and when i started to read it I just couldn t put it down. It was the best book I have read in years. My husband bought it for me because I heard the author on a radio talk show doing an interview and talking about this book and the way she described it I knew i had to have it. I really recomend this book to everyone who just love a good book.

I read this book a few weeks ago and have since recommended it to friends and family, all who felt the same way that I did...that is was a beautiful story about a young man who was in vet school, lost both of his parents and then lost his way. He ended up traveling with the circus, first as a hired hand, then later on as the on site "vet" when the manager saw he could tend to the sick circus animals. The narrator switches from his current memories as an old man and then changes to his experiences as a young man. It is a very special book, beautiful and moving...don't miss it.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, which gave an especially sensitive account of life in the circus during the Depression era. The dimension of each character, including, Rosie the elephant, made it a pleasures to read. And Gruen’s ability to write from the perspective of the main character, a man who is 90 or 93, is especially impressive. Kudos to Gruen. I look forward to reading more of her work.

What an enjoyable book. Received from my daughter. Would love to see a movie made from this book. You won't be disappointed!

Great book......enjoyed it very much. This book was recommended by a friend and I have passed it along to many of my friends.

It was one of our book club picks. It was very entertaining and we all enjoyed reading it. It was an unusual subject that I would not have picked up randomly.

This has been on the best-seller list for quite some time and is a good read. There are many unique characteristics about the story and I admit the book was hard to put down. I did not give it 5 stars because I feel like the story could have gone a couple steps farther if that makes sense.

I decided to buy this book because It was the book we were ready in my book club. I thought, a circus story, why would I read something about this subject? It was very surprising, I loved it. I couldn't put it down, I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I learned a lot about working in a circus during the Depression. Not fun at all. This book is filled with amazing caracteres who bring in their own personal story into the book. I recommend reading it. Hey, I even have my husband reading it.

I absolutely hated this book. I am an avid reader and this is one of the worst books I have ever read. I hated the going back and forth from past to present. Sara Gruen is an excellent story teller, but the story was awful!!!

It was a really easy read! we had to read it for an advanced english class! Took about 6 hours to read

One of the best books that I have read in a long time. Very easy to read and hard to put down once you get in to it! Highly reccomended

This book was fabulous! There was so much stuff to learn about the old circus'. I loved the love story how the book eneded was fabulous. I couldn't put this book down. I haven't read anything from this author but I do plan on it. She is very creative! I recommend this book to whom ever is possibly interested in reading it. It is a MUST read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Loved the character development, the "circus" vernacular, the little surprises throughout the novel, the plot, the method of transitioning from the present to the past, even the ending, which was implausible, yes, but satisfying and uplifting. Enjoyed the juxtaposition of the little beauty the reader is shown and the ugliness of circus life in the early 20th century. I also love dialogue, and this book has plenty of it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. In a way, it tells two stories. The life of Jacob as a young man working with the circus, and his current life as an old man. It was very well written and keeps you interested the whole way through. The only thing I didn't like was some animal cruelty - not a whole lot, but disturbing nonetheless. I just had to remind myself that it's a story. I highly recommend this book!

I am still reading this book, it is good but a little lengthy. At this point I am still wondering where it is going. I have read other reviews that say it is an excellent book, still waiting.

The story line takes you in right away. It gives one a surprising look into the past and what circus life most likely was like for those traveling from place to place. The characters are rich and complex in their own ways. You like some, you can't stand others. The book evokes many human emotions and also gives one some thoughts to ponder over. Life certainly can change in an instant for any one of us. Are we prepared? What would we have done? And old age...lawdy be, please let me be surrounded by those with patience and understanding! This book will evoke sadness, dispair, happiness, joy and gives one hope too. A great read and a real page turner!

Just started this book, but I am sucked in! I'm a slow reader who needs to read every word. It's a easy read!

It was on the New York Times bestsellers list and I had heard about the book from several people.

It is just such a good book. Great development of characters and plot.

A page turner.

Didn't want it to end!

THINK AGAIN! After you read this amazing book, you may prefer to join the picketing, protesting PETA members...those people marching OUTSIDE of the Big Top. You may also be move to do some volunteering in a nursing home. I was still thinking about this book long after I'd already started reading another book. 5*****stars!