For those who have completed 'Water For Elephant' what do you think about the ending (showing 1-12 of 12)

[Susan, Suey comment history]

What do you think about the ending of this novel, ie is it unrealistic, fitting, fantastic etc?

[Katy comment history]

I read this book about 6 months ago and honestly cannot remember the ending other than he leaves again for the circus! Which probably tells me something! Overall I enjoyed the book but I thought it could have had a bit more substance to grip the reader more (and leave more of a lasting impression!) -KateKate

[Susan, Suey comment history]

Katy wrote: "I read this book about 6 months ago and honestly cannot remember the ending other than he leaves again for the circus! Which probably tells me something! Overall I enjoyed the book but I thought it..."

I would say you found the ending unremarkable?

I thought the ending was great. It would be expected to run away with the circus in your younger years but to run away with the circus age 93, I thought was great.

I like to imagine disruption caused by Jacob going missing, the panic of the home and especially the possible panic of his neglectful family (or maybe they just shrugged their collective shoulders).

[Lucy comment history]

I think the ending is great! So powerful and full of feelings. I let one tear drop before I reminded myself it was just a book. But I grew fond of it and by the end I felt like it is my friend.

[Michael comment history]

This is a tough one for me. I think it confused me because I wasn't sure how joining the circus resolved the issues he had been facing as an old man in the retirement home. It seemed almost like "I'll just step back in time since I liked my circus days better and that way I won't have to confront the end of a life well lived."

But there may be some redemption if we assume that his summer with the circus, or whatever it ends up being, is a chance to process some of this. He indicates that possibility by saying that the ticket booth was considered "the end of the line" back in his day. I like to imagine Jacob spending the time on the circus reminiscing a bit more, and internalizing his new role in the ticket booth as a way to accept the end of his life.

The aspect of the ending I did like was his realization that he was only as imprisoned as he led himself to believe. The transformation in that sense was dramatic, and if he continues to take advantage of whatever skills and acumen he has left, it will make for a more rewarding final days than the morose complaining about things that he had been doing.

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~ comment history]

I thought the ending was very poignant in the fact that Jacob was returning to a life that he knew very well. As for him, being in nursing home where it's the same thing all of time and being frustrated by the other inhabitants. He was of clear and sound mind when making the decision to rejoin the circus. The circus gives Jacob purpose and a sense of well being that he wasn't finding in the nursing home or from his family.

[Vivi comment history]

I think that if you know you are in your final days, might as well enjoyed them. And for me that is why he came back to the circus. As a reminiscent of the happiest times.

[Susan, Suey comment history]

Lucy wrote: "I think the ending is great! So powerful and full of feelings. I let one tear drop before I reminded myself it was just a book. But I grew fond of it and by the end I felt like it is my friend."

I totally agree with you comment about letting one tear fall and feeling the book is like a old friend.

I so love the ending that at the age of 93 Jacob was able to find some clarity of mind, direction and purpose instead of probably vegetating in the nursing home.

[Kathy comment history]

I enjoyed the ending - it was the perfect ending. In many books the character telling about their life ends up near death or dying at the end. I liked the idea of Jacob being able to make more circus memories in his future.

[Trisha comment history]

I loved the novel and thought the ending was great, especially the big "reveal", which I totally didn't see coming. I thought that it showed a dark, gritty side of the circus that we rarely see, or even think about. I also thought that it was very sad how Jacob was treated as an elderly man and to see everything through his eyes. I thought it was a great novel!

[Michael, Mikey comment history]

I got into the novel at the last 100 pages it dragged for me up until then. I dont know if thats because i saw the film first which i thoughly enjoyed. hat is the second time i my opinion the film was better than the book

[Trisha comment history]

I have also found that when I watch the film first, the book seems to drag because I already know what to expect. I really try to read the book first to avoid that from happening.