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on April 3, 2013
** spoiler alert ** Like many people before me, I picked up this book after having seen and enjoyed the movie. This is one rare occasion where I loved the movie more than the book (but that may just be because I saw the movie first.) In some ways this is like an amped up romance novel. There's so much focus on the romance between Jacob and Marlena but she has the personality of a wet napkin so I really don't get the appeal. When I read the negative reviews for this book a lot of people made issue with the " graphic and frequent sex scenes" it made me somewhat hesitant to read it but those concerns were unfounded. There was some sex, and some thoughts of sex and some lit nips BUT the story is being told by a sex-deprived geriatric/ a horny teenage VIRGIN! If anyone was shocked that a 19yo was obsessed with scoring a little trim they should walk directly off the nearest cliff. It was a bit more detail than necessary but I've read sex scenes that made me cringe from the details and this wasn't that. If I had to list my own personal complaints I would start with the ending, that was literally my biggest issue with this novel. There are some big, gaping, elephant sized holes my friends. I mean, what did they do, stand around Bumpuckey West Nowhereland with 12 horses and and elephant for however many days until Ringling could come pick them up? I mean I get that it was a happy ending, the sun will come out tomorrow etc. but the author basically did a Sopranos style fade to black. What about the other animals?! Whatever, don't get me started, I could go off on an all day tangent.... point is there was something to be desired. My favorite parts of the book were mostly centered around Old Jacob, he was by far the best written (and my favorite) character. Curious as to why they cut the Rosemary character out of the movie, because their relationship was a nice really sweet. Overall it was a good read, I enjoyed traveling back in time to the circus and I am willing to overlook the flaws to take the trip.
on July 12, 2017
I have read and reread this beautifully written novel several times. I find a comfort in the way the story unfolds and the elder Jacob finds comfort in the telling of his story. I would recommend and have recommended this book to most everyone from my teenage granddaughter to coworkers.
on May 23, 2014
I've just completed reading this book a third time. One word of advice: Read the book BEFORE seeing the movie. While both book and film can each stand alone, reading the book first makes the movie so much more enjoyable. The story is uniquely compelling, and the author does an excellent job of describing the life and times of a Depression-era circus. I just couldn't put the bloody book down!
Like the author before writing this book, I'd never been to a circus before. However, I did grow up with Depression survivor grandparents, especially my grandmother, who was infamous locally for feeding the hobos who passed through our poor little railroad town. Even when she had little to feed her three children, the transients who spotted the hobo tags on their back fence never went away empty-handed.
I have been fascinated by stories of the circus since visiting the Ringling Circus Museum in Sarasota, Florida at the age of eight. Now in my 50's, I long to see a real circus for myself.
Like the author before writing this book, I'd never been to a circus before. However, I did grow up with Depression survivor grandparents, especially my grandmother, who was infamous locally for feeding the hobos who passed through our poor little railroad town. Even when she had little to feed her three children, the transients who spotted the hobo tags on their back fence never went away empty-handed.
I have been fascinated by stories of the circus since visiting the Ringling Circus Museum in Sarasota, Florida at the age of eight. Now in my 50's, I long to see a real circus for myself.
on February 21, 2017
Very good book about the Circus after the crash of 29, a rough and tumble life, well written!
on May 24, 2017
I enjoyed reading this story and would recommend it to anyone who really enjoys reading all kinds of stories. This was very interesting.
on January 3, 2013
As I am an avid reader, my sister asked me if I had read Water for Elephants yet. I told her I had not heard about it. She was very surprised and told me I would enjoy it. When I asked her about it she told me it wasnt what any one would expect it to be by the title.us and an elderly man and it was both happy and sad at the same time. I asked her not to tell me any more as I decided I would like to order it. In three days I had my book and started reading it that same night. By the third night I was finished. I really liked this book. My sister was right, it was not what I expected. I will never look at the circus in the same way again,. I appreciated the research that went into this book and how circus life was really was. What a struggle and hard life it was for someone so young to be put into such circumstances when he had such a bright future (seemingly) in front of him Also, it was sad to see how the elderly are perceived and devalued by most everyone. His triumph at the end was so unexpected and really surprised me and made an unhappy situation happy again. Was so glad I read it. Would recommend it and have, to friends and family.
VINE VOICEon January 25, 2008
This book was a quick read, and I thought it was very interesting. The reader gets a close up view of the inner workings of the circus, the performers, animal caretakers, etc, mixed in with a love story of sorts. However, even though the book was good, it was not great. It's not one I'd want to keep, or read again. The author introduced too many characters too quickly, and only after reading on for awhile do you sort them out. I didn't really come to love any of the characters enough to care much about what happened to them. The plot seemed weak, character development weak. I liked the HBO series Carnivale, and although this is also a circus book, it was slightly disappointing to me.
on March 25, 2007
Reading a good book is a chance to run off with the circus--to escape into a fun and exciting world totally unlike one's own. This is Gruen's gift to her readers. I got completely absorbed in the double stories of the old man in assisted living and the young man in the circus. By starting her book with the reflections of an old person looking back, this novel reminded me of Evening as well as Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. The black-and-white photos add a lot too. The historic photo on page 70 of the so-called gentleman "freak" is shocking, isn't it? A fast-paced enjoyable book.
--Carol Weston, author of Melanie Martin novels for children and teen advice books Girltalk Fourth Edition: All the Stuff Your Sister Never Told You.
--Carol Weston, author of Melanie Martin novels for children and teen advice books Girltalk Fourth Edition: All the Stuff Your Sister Never Told You.
on April 4, 2014
I am reluctant to begin another book after finishing this one. I want to savor my relationship with the characters just a little longer. I never did see the movie though I knew it was a popular one. Now I understand why. This book provides a glimpse of the harshness of life in an earlier America that was the reality for a great many people. It also opens up a secret world of moving carnivals and the attempts by the Circus folk to amuse, frighten and thrill - not to mention extort lie and skip town in a hurry. The treatment of those with an affliction or disability was harsh and sometimes cruel. Animals were for work and display only, a means to make money.
The writing style of this book was so lovely that I didn't even notice it -I was so engrossed in the plots and sub plots and getting to love the lead characters. A really good yarn, peppered with the occasional photograph of circus life from real history.
I recommend this book - save up some time and sit down to enjoy it. You will not regret it!
The writing style of this book was so lovely that I didn't even notice it -I was so engrossed in the plots and sub plots and getting to love the lead characters. A really good yarn, peppered with the occasional photograph of circus life from real history.
I recommend this book - save up some time and sit down to enjoy it. You will not regret it!
