Questions About Water for Elephants

by Sara Gruen (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (28)

seen this book around at sales a lot..finally picked it up.Is it primarily written for a female audience or will i like it

Laura Shields why would you even assume it was written for either or

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200 pages into the book, and the characters still feel remote. Is the book any good at all?

Tracy Valentine Currently reading it, and I have to say no. The animal abuse is horrific and utterly disgusting. Yet Sara Gruen seems to LOVE it, because she lingers …moreCurrently reading it, and I have to say no. The animal abuse is horrific and utterly disgusting. Yet Sara Gruen seems to LOVE it, because she lingers on those scenes for pages at a time. Struggling through this book full of horrible abuse and one-dimensional cardboard cutout characters has made me dislike her not only as a writer, but as a person. (less)

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Why is it titled 'Water for Elephants'?

Gemma This might be spoiling the start of the book a little.

In the book, somebody claims that they used to carry water for the elephants in the circus, and…moreThis might be spoiling the start of the book a little.

In the book, somebody claims that they used to carry water for the elephants in the circus, and the main character, Jacob, knows that he's lying because he knows what it's like to look after an elephant. And that's what get's him started on the whole story of when he was younger, in the circus. I think that's the main reason, but I also think that the name Water For Elephants has a lot of meaning throughout the book. :)(less)

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How does Marlena die? I wish the book talked more about the middle of Jacob’s life. What happened to Rosie after his 2nd stint in the circus. As I remember, it’s implied that she lives on? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Marybaby22 I thought it said she had cancer and died quickly like in 9 days it was a brief mention

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Just finished this book and was enthralled from start to finish.It is intricately written,with interesting and believable characters showing the many sides of humanity.i feel I know about a whole other,bygone way of life now.Do other readers agree?

Millie Agreed! To me, it was so well researched that I actually had to go and do some sleuthing myself to uncover some of the circus lingo. I really like tha…moreAgreed! To me, it was so well researched that I actually had to go and do some sleuthing myself to uncover some of the circus lingo. I really like that it was told from a male's perspective too. I really want to find more books like this. Gruen did an amzing job of showing a blip in time and still capturing its beauty, glamor, and corruption.(less)

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