Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Water for Elephants written by Sara Gruen is currently an extremely popular book. It has won a few awards, allowing it to obtain some recent literary notoriety and even some prominence. Hollywood caught wind and made it into a popular film now playing at a theater near you. This was enough to convince me to read the book. After listening to ten CDs during my commute, I was finally relieved to finish this book. I was hopeful that it would be a great book, but I will admit that I did not enjoy it as fully as I hoped.

It is apparent that Gruen did extensive research that allowed her to depict circus life during the Great Depression. This bolsters the plot as it moves at a good pace filled with entertaining conflict. The reader can appreciate what it is like to live among circus folk from their living quarters on a train to the social hierarchy found between the working men and performers. The themes are big such as domestic violence, mental illness, animal abuse, and the modern day treatment of the elderly. Despite all these powerful themes, the book is not consequential enough to carry off these themes less than at a superficial level. There is never enough time for the reader to engage with the themes in this story at a deep level.

The novel is undoubtably popular for the love story between the circus veterinarian and the show's star performer. It is a tumultuous love affair as Marlana is married and Jake gets her pregnant. Jake's character is so well developed that you root for him through his highly risky pursuit. However, the character of Marlana is so under developed that you wonder what he sees in this married woman who is beautiful, but offers very little else besides the fact that she can train horses. Gruen's poor character development of Marlana never gives the reader a chance to develop any “relationship” or feelings toward her one way or another. Although, you as the reader, support Jake and want him to be happy, you find yourself frustrated by this woman that offers Jake very little except hardship.

This is a book written with all the appropriate literary elements, but at times the writing feels simplistic. I struggled to listen to descriptive scenes in which Gruen takes you through pain staking details that are uncomfortable to listen too. I felt, at times, she tells too much, allowing the reader to get lost in the circus tent amid the menagerie. However, I would have loved to hear more description of the American country the circus train traveled through. One success story motif was the narration of the story, which switched between the voice of young Jake and elderly Jake. This device helped develop Jake as a likable character, as this was a strength of the novel.

In the end, the conclusion of the story is too neat. Everything works out for the benefit of Marlana and Jake and they literally go off into the sunset. Even elderly Jake gets to go off into the swirls of the big top one last time. There is some tragedy in the death of two minor characters, but even their death alleviates some burden for the sake of Jake and Marlana's love. There is one final unexpected twist that involves the circus elephant that I will not mention here, but it is the best part of the story. Rosie the elephant is redeeming and all too human, and for this, I loved her! I would recommend this book, but with caution. Although not completely disappointing, I have to admit it lacks everything that the prominence of the book awards seemed to promise.

Really? No one has read this??

I read it last week, straight after having seen the movie ! I have a few things to say about it :

• I totally agree with you when you say that Marlana's character isn't developed enough. I felt really frustrated about that, epecially because, as you pointed, Jacob's character is pretty well described, deep-analysed and explained, for he is the main character. The description of the decors, the circus, the life during the Depression are excellent, but I felt a lack of psychology in many characters -except for Jacob. Marlana is not the only one : August -Marlana's husband- is bipolar, he can be the most charming man on earth and one second later a monster of violence and sadism. We know that for he is hated by everyone and his actions against Rosie -the elephant- and Marlana are described, but not a word of how HE feels towards his own actions and his own problem, barely a word about his pain -because he may be a cruel man, it's not entirely his fault, he needs help, a help he thought he could find in Jacob, who was first his friend before turning into his enemy ! This aspect of August's character is more developed in the movie, I think : Christoph Waltz is an amazing actor who really goes deep while playing a role.
• If you haven't seen the movie yet, run to the nearer theatre. It's really extraordinary.
• The end is not very realistic, but I liked it though. But I agree with you, Camel's, Walter's and August's deaths could have been a heavier burden on their fate, at least on Jake's conscience.
• Rosie is definitely the BEST CHARACTER of the novel !

Conclusion : even if I'm disappointed by the lack of psychology for a lot fo characters, I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the book, the moments Jacob spends with the animals, the descriptions, and the dialogues ! It's a book worth reading, especially if you like imagining incredible scenes and shows !

I know a lot of people liked this book. I believe this is why I was struggling for so long to write the review. I wanted to be balanced in what I said, but honest at the same time.

The themes are big and she doesn't go into enough depth, for my taste, about August's mental illness. I understand Gruen's motivation in creating a character with such a problem, but she could have not labeled him and just left him as the crazy guy. I think the reader would be as satisfied to know August is nuts. I do not believe that the average person really knew anything about mental illness in the twenties anyway.

You did a great job on the review, jersea. I read the book several years ago. Ms. Gruen is a good writer, but as you said, she does not go deep. There is no psychological nuance to the story.

However, having said that, if someone is looking for a good read for the summer, this would be a good choice.

And yes, Rosie is fantastic.

I agree that it is a good summer read. Many people told me that the movie is great. It sounds like a fun book to pair with the movie.

Thanks for reading Qimissung.

It was a fairly good read. I agree with the individuals that said the character of Marlana wasn't developed enough. I found it quite frustrating as well.