I’m attending my first book club this month and this was the book on the list. Admittedly, I wasn’t excited. I don’t typically read these types of books and the fact that it has gotten rave reviews turned me off. For some reason, I end up enjoying books most people don’t like. The fact that Megan said it was the “greatest book she’s ever read” and Becky said that she was “hooked from the first paragraph” assured me that I wouldn’t like this book.
Oh. My. Gosh. I was wrong.
Water For Elephants was about a boy named Jacob who joined the circus after his parents died just because he was going to take his tests to certify him as a veterinarian. The story also involves Jacob as an older man, 90 or 93, who is living in a nursing home and reminiscing about his early days with the circus. Younger Jacob quickly becomes the show’s vet, even though he’s technically not certified, and he watches over the flurry of animals for the circus. He befriends a man named August and his wife Marlena, whom Jacob falls hard for. The book follows the progression of Jacob, as he grows up and learns the harsh realities of the world. He learns about love, about hatred, about caring for animals and the strength he has within himself.
I absolutely loved every single page of this book. I fell head over heels for both Younger Jacob and Older Jacob because they both possessed an innate strength and zest for life. Seeing how he grew up as he grew into himself was inspiring.
I thought the plot was fantastic and there weren’t any parts that dragged. Gruen kept it moving the whole time. The dialogue was great and I just loved the development of Jacob and Marlena’s relationship. I hated and loved August, all at the same time.
I can’t pinpoint what I loved most about this book, but I was a little surprised at the ending, simply because of the type of book I thought it was. Others might have thought it predictable, but I didn’t. (This is probably because I read a lot of predictable books and really don’t mind the predictability of them.)
I am really, really excited about the movie adaptation of this book. Robert Pattinson is going to play Younger Jacob, which I think can work. I’m not the biggest Pattinson fan, but he was a little of what I pictured Younger Jacob looked like. Reese Witherspoon is going to play Marlena, which I’m not quite sure about. But since I love Reese, I think she can pull it off!
What did this book teach me? I’m not sure. That I need to give popular books a second chance? 😉 I think it taught me about inner strength and that you can’t sit back in life. Cliché as it may be, you really have to make lemonade out of lemons. Jacob was on his way to becoming a Cornell-educated veterinarian and joining his father’s practice. Instead, his parents died and he joined the circus. Yet he still managed to make something out of it and found himself in the process. We don’t know where life will take us, but it’s up to us to make the most out of whatever life hands to us.
Have you read this book? What were your thoughts?
I'm so so glad you liked this! I didn't want to read this for the longest time either because I kept hearing raves about it, and I didn't expect to like it, but I LOVED it! 🙂
I've been wanting to read this book for a really, really long time – along with Sarah Dessen's Along for the Ride and Kathryn Stockett's The Help. I don't know what's kept me from reading them. Most likely school, and the fact that every time I finish a book, instead of going to the library, I convince myself to read one of the many that I've bought over the years and haven't gotten around to yet. I have so many books I want to get rid of, I just don't know what to do with them. Anyway, I'm glad to hear that you loved this book, and I, too, am looking forward to the movie. I actually really like Robert Pattinson, but not because of his Twilight status. I like him because when I see him in interviews he really seems genuinely down-to-earth and honest, and he seems like a bit of a goofball, which I find refreshing in someone who's been hit with the celebrity status. Really can't wait to finally get around to reading this one. Thanks for the review!
I've been wanting to read this book for awhile, but haven't actually done it for some reason. I'll really have to check it out now :).
Just curious… what kind of books do you like?
I read this book when it first came out and really, really enjoyed it. I'm not sure how I feel about the movie or even if I'll really see it. I'm glad that you enjoyed it!
Try The Help and Saving CeeCee Honeycutt.
I didn't want to read this because of the cover and it isn't my usual genre. But I love when my horizons get expanded so when it was voted to one of our book club's books, I was happy to give it a chance and I had the same feelings. 🙂 Loved every page. This was one of my 39.4 books in 2010. Haha… I think you're amazing to read 100!
Oh wow I've never even heard of this book! Definitely adding it to my list for the year. David and I decided to have a reading challenge for 2011 and the winner gets a Chapters gift card. Hoping it'll get us both into reading more often! This sounds really great, but I must read it before the movie comes out 🙂
I saw the title to your post and literally could only read the first few lines because this is the next book on my to-read list! I've heard soooo many good things about it. I'm glad to see (from what I heard without maybe reading spoilers) that you really loved it. Excited!!
I loved this book. I read it two years ago. Couldn't put it down. And I can't wait for the movie. I know it will be amazing! Glad you enjoyed it =)
I really liked this book, too. It actually warrants a re-read, I think. It's been probably 3 years since I've read it? She has a new book out, too, which I would like to read.
I so need to get my hand on this book! I've heard lots of good things about it!
Just curious, what do you mean when you say you don't read "these kinds of books"? I haven't read this one but it seems like something I'd like.
I did read this book! It took me some time to get in to it, actually – but I was definitely hooked. I can't wait to see the movie!
PS thanks for the comments while I was away, I'm so happy to be back to blogging, happy new year!!!
Don't you just love it when a book you thought wasn't going to be that good turns out to be such a joy to read? Just found your blog and been having fun reading your posts.
I started the book and didn't make it past the first 30 pages.
I have no idea if it's me or if I just started the book at a wrong time, but I didn't get "hooked" from the beginning and unless I have a whole lot of free time when I can just keep reading everything and anything, I didn't continue.
Maybe I need to pick this book up again and give it the attention it obviously deserves?
I read this book when it first came out and really, really enjoyed it. I'm not sure how I feel about the movie or even if I'll really see it. I'm glad that you enjoyed it!
Try The Help and Saving CeeCee Honeycutt.
I so need to get my hand on this book! I've heard lots of good things about it!
Oh wow I've never even heard of this book! Definitely adding it to my list for the year. David and I decided to have a reading challenge for 2011 and the winner gets a Chapters gift card. Hoping it'll get us both into reading more often! This sounds really great, but I must read it before the movie comes out 🙂