Product Details
ISBN: 1565125606
EAN: 9781565125605
BOOK OVERVIEW
Water for Elephants is a historical novel by Sara Gruen, first published in 2006. The story is set in the 1930s during the Great Depression and follows the journey of Jacob Jankowski, a young man who unexpectedly joins a traveling circus after a personal tragedy.
Plot Summary:
Jacob, a veterinary student on the verge of finishing his degree, is orphaned and penniless after his parents' tragic deaths. In a desperate move, he hops onto a passing train, which turns out to belong to the Benzini Brothers' Most Spectacular Show on Earth, a struggling circus. Using his veterinary skills, he earns a place caring for the circus animals, including Rosie, an elephant who initially seems untrainable but proves to be more intelligent than anyone expected.
Amidst the harsh and often brutal world of the traveling circus, Jacob falls in love with Marlena, the star performer who is trapped in an abusive marriage with August, the circus's charismatic yet cruel animal trainer. The novel unfolds as Jacob navigates love, survival, and moral dilemmas in the unforgiving world of the circus.
The book is framed as a memoir, with Jacob as an elderly man in a nursing home, reflecting on his time with the circus, blurring the lines between memory and reality.
Themes:
Love and Forbidden Romance
Survival and Resilience
The Harsh Realities of Circus Life
The Power of Animals and Companionship
The novel became a bestseller and was later adapted into a 2011 film starring Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sara Gruen is a Canadian-American author renowned for her emotionally rich storytelling and meticulously researched historical fiction. Before Water for Elephants, she wrote other novels; however, this book became her breakout success, earning both critical acclaim and commercial popularity.
Gruen has a passion for animals, which is reflected in much of her work. She meticulously researched circus history and animal training to create an authentic and immersive experience in Water for Elephants. Her other works include Ape House and At the Water's Edge.
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Product Condition
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VERY GOOD. All pages and the cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable) and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine may show signs of wear. Some books, "but not all," may include inscriptions or dedications. Due to the age or quality of the paper, they may develop signs of foxing.
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