I really enjoyed this book as well. I read it like 3 years ago and I am still recommending it to people. I just can't get over the ending! This book made me love elephants!

Spoiler Comment:

See below.





Just finished it and absolutely loved it. Jacob is a very likeable character. The whole red-lighting thing was shocking. It prompted me do some research on my own and, difficult as it is to believe, that sort of thing actually happened!

The ending left me feeling quite satisfied - as to Jacob and Marlena, Rosie, Bobo and the rest. The one thing I might have changed (if I ruled Sara Gruen's world?): I would have given it the same ending, but made a connection between Michael and Jacob's past (like perhaps his being Camel's grandson or some such - or related to Gregory or Earl or one of the other Benzini characters). Just a thought.

GREAT story! I, for one, would like to see a sequel.
CJ

I read this book a few months back and really enjoyed it.

I liked that the story was told from the point of view of a 90 year old (or is it 93 year old?) man as he described memories of his life and experiences with a traveling circus. The author really seemed to do her homework regarding circus life and what was going on during that time period.

I was not expecting what happens to the main character at the end of the book. I liked the way the author ended it.

This book was also pretty interesting for me because I'd visited the Ringling Museum here in Sarasota just a few weeks before I read the book.

I would not have picked this up if my group hadnt voted it in as the group read a few months back.

So I have my group to thank for that. I absolutely loved it! And I, too, was afraid of the animal abuse. Elephants seem to have the worst time of it in my opinion, and although there is some abuse written here, it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected it to be.

Wes, if you dont mind, I would like to invite people to check out the discussion my group held on the book, to perhaps strike up some conversation here.

It is a spoiler thread, so be careful!
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1125...

I loved the whole concept of this book....when I first picked it up, I didn't have many expectations, but it definately won me over.
the thing that got under my skin was the abuse to the animals, and their incredible nature to love and just want to be loved back....

this book was just fun...from the "adult" sections of the circus, to the love story, and the drama....

I read this book about a year ago and is one of my favorites. I think I liked the "modern" in the nursing home parts a bit better than the "older" circus parts mainly because Sara really made that seem so real. I espeically like the interaction with the nurse - and I love the ending - though I'm a softy.

Winner for July and August 09' Water for Elephants discussion room please make your reading comments here. Spoilers may be present in this room so please read the book before making comments.
Happy reading