Sandi's review
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
I’m not really sure what to say about “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen. It was a thoroughly charming and entertaining novel. It was well written and well researched. It really brought a bit of American history to life. I really loved all the old circus photos that were included between chapters. The ending made me feel warm and fuzzy, and I closed the book at the last page with a smile on my face. When I started, I thought it would be kind of depressing. And, to be honest, it should have been. The prologue, which is re-told in the last chapters, is shocking. I’m not saying that the happy ending should have been sad. I just think that the parts that should have been sad or horrifying somehow didn’t come off as sad enough or horrifying enough. That doesn’t mean that I thought the book was bad. I actually thought it was quite good. However, I think it could have been so much more. It was a delight for the hours that I held it in my hands, but I think it will s...more
I agree that it could have and should have been a bit more. I think my take on it was a bit more towards the dark side. There was a lot of depressing stuff throughout the book (e.g. murder, racism, poverty, animal cruelty) and I felt the ending was sort of the payoff. I understand what you are saying, but I was thoroughly entertained and was able to look over some of the weaker elements of the book.
I probably should have put in my review that I would have given it 3-1/2 stars if we had half stars. I more than liked it, but I less than loved it. I was really torn between 3 and 4 stars.



