underthetreereads's review against another edition
5.0
"Why the hell shouldn't I run away with the circus?"
Water for Elephants was a great book, although I wouldn't call it the greatest romance. Jacob was such a strong character that I enjoyed meeting, both innocently young and grumpily old. You see him mature, but still keep that sense of wonder at seeing the circus even after seeing the dark side of it. Best of all, the ending pleasantly surprised me.
Water for Elephants was a great book, although I wouldn't call it the greatest romance. Jacob was such a strong character that I enjoyed meeting, both innocently young and grumpily old. You see him mature, but still keep that sense of wonder at seeing the circus even after seeing the dark side of it. Best of all, the ending pleasantly surprised me.
courtneyh8's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
forbug's review against another edition
4.0
Although this book was shockingly graphic at parts, it was very difficult to put down. The long anecdotes that alternated with descriptions of current-day added to the character of Jacob Jankowski and made the novel seem like it was a true story. Water for Elephants should be regarded as a masterpiece and enjoyed by everyone.
paperfemme's review against another edition
3.0
Good summer reading. I felt like it wasn't going anywhere about 70% in then I spent the final pages gasping (literally).
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, Animal death, Injury/injury detail, Animal cruelty, Alcohol, Murder, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual assault, Excrement, Antisemitism, Confinement, Ableism, Fatphobia, Grief, and Infidelity
Minor: Vomit, Car accident, Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Dementia, Misogyny, Racism, Trafficking, and Death of parent
greenereading's review against another edition
4.0
Do not judge this book by it's movie!
Great book. Great read. Fun and heartbreaking and with a little dash of romance. The movie, not so much.
Great book. Great read. Fun and heartbreaking and with a little dash of romance. The movie, not so much.
ehmatthews's review against another edition
4.0
I finished this book in a day and loved it - the backdrop of a circus during the Depression was so visually stimulating the love story was engaging without being over bearing. I found Jacob's love for Marlena and the animals equally touching. I also loved the moments with 'old Jacob' in his nursing home; his reluctance to give up his independence, his insistence on being treated like a human - while I'm sure they would have been very annoying to his family I thought they were so touching. Spoiler alert! I was generally excited when they ended up together in the end - since he didn't really mention Marlena by name when referencing his wife I prepared for a bittersweet ending but was damn near giddy when he was describing his time with Marlena, five kids and a pet chimp. Too cute. I'm hoping the movie does it justice - but I'm confident that Christopher Waltz can be a terrifying August (considering how scary he was in Inglorious Basterds). All in all it was a fun, quick read that pulled me in from the beginning. I will recommend it.
mrsjkamp's review against another edition
4.0
I laughed, cried, got angry, and every other emotion right along with these characters! I wasn't sure at first, but Jill told me to persevere and I am so glad I did. This is definitely a different kind of story with a lot of descriptive scenes and perfectly worded chapters. I was so happy by the end of the story that I didn't even want to get out of the car. I wanted to let it all soak in. Very good!
vee615's review against another edition
5.0
Do you like the circus? Adventure? Romance? Evil villains? How about elephants? If you like all these things then this is the book for you. The beginning sucks you into the intrigue of the circus and then you are led up to the events of the first chapter in increments. A college student Jacob is about to take his finals to become a vet, when he gets the news his parents have been killed. He flees not knowing what else to do. The depression has just started and jobs are hard to come by. But the circus needs a vet for their menagerie. Told through the eyes of a 93 year old Jacob the story switches from present to past. This book kept me turning pages long after bed time.
lareina87's review against another edition
4.0
I can understand why this book gets a lot of flack. I thought the relationship between Jacob and Marlena was sort of ridiculous, but for me, other elements of this book made up for the fact that the relationship between Marlena and Jacob was unbelievable. I loved the imagery of the circus, Jacob's interaction with the animals, the nursing home vignettes, Jacob's relationship with Walter and Camel, and just his whole adventure of essentially running away to join the circus. I absolutely loved the ending as well. I will most definitely rereading this book for years to come, and it will be one of my favorites.