Water for Elephants in Around the World in 80 Books

Oct 04, 2013 Anna Din rated it it was amazing

Shelves: library, favorites

This is my first review on goodreads because I really loved this book so I feel the need to defend it. I bought this book used for about $1 at a local library and heard a lot about it, which is the only reason I started reading it. When I came to goodreads, I didn't know what to expect because the reviews are mixed. Some people love it. Other people keep complaining about Marlena's character and all the sex and gruesome details in the book.

If you feel that sex is NEVER necessary in a book and ha This is my first review on goodreads because I really loved this book so I feel the need to defend it. I bought this book used for about $1 at a local library and heard a lot about it, which is the only reason I started reading it. When I came to goodreads, I didn't know what to expect because the reviews are mixed. Some people love it. Other people keep complaining about Marlena's character and all the sex and gruesome details in the book.

If you feel that sex is NEVER necessary in a book and hate reading gruesome details about animal cruelty and what not, then this is probably not the book for you. However, I agree there are a lot of lessons to be learned from this book. It's about the struggles and hard times that a man goes through, which include these details. The details were very relevant to the story -- to explain everything the protagonist saw and experienced.

This book left me teary eyed and smiling at the same time. It not only has action, love, and animal cruelty, but it also does a great job of explaining the circus scene during post-depression era and problems associated with geriatrics - all in one. I thought it was all done very well. It was very well researched and touched my heart. I was already hoping for a good ending, but I loved the last scene of the novel so much. It ended very well and is one of the best books I've picked up in awhile.

The problem some people have with the Marlena - Jacob's love interest - is understandable. She doesn't have a very strong character especially during the beginning, but I think that's part of her weakness and shortcomings. I think people who pick this up just for the romance may be a bit disappointed. This book includes a wonderful love story, but it has much more to offer than just that, which is why Marlena's shortcomings never bothered me. Also, I feel that most romance novels or YA novels now have female characters who are ditsy, not very independent, and not so well put together, so I don't see why this was such a big issue for some people.

All in all, I highly recommend this for those who love reading books that leave you with something you can take from it!! ...more

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Nov 14, 2008 Janet rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

I resisted reading this book, because I planned on a Circus story being depressing. Was I surprised! This romantic page-turner, told in flashbacks through the eyes of the 80 year old main character who is struggling to cope in a nursing home, was captivating.

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Jul 08, 2012 Ellen Librarian rated it liked it

This could have been a really great book. Instead it was a mediocre one with a lot of plot but not much depth or ultimate meaning. Except for the narrator and one of the nurses at his old age home, all the characters seemed like caricatures. The big love interest, Marlena, was dull and it was hard to know what the narrator saw in her other than good looks, a love for animals and victimization by her cruel, mentally-ill husband.

Still, it was an engrossing, easy-to-read story with an interesting b ...more

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Jul 28, 2012 Rebekah rated it really liked it

Shelves: genre-animals, genre-book-club, genre-contemporary, genre-drama, genre-historical-fiction, genre-novels, genre-adult, genre-adult-fiction, rating-4, genre-romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 02, 2012 Crystal rated it really liked it

Enjoyed the unique topic, kept my interest. Book was definitely much better than the movie.

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May 30, 2008 Lori rated it it was amazing

Shelves: faves

I didn't think I would like this book b/c I was afraid what I'd read about animal cruelty. It certainly addressed this issue, but more through the daily lives of the circus staff and how they helped the animals and one another through tough times. ...more

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Jul 31, 2011 Megan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I really liked this book. An engaging storyline. Lots and lots of circus bits, which I find fascinating. The alternating between the present and the Depression really worked, in my opinion.

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