Reviews with content warning for Cursing - Water for Elephants

It was my second time reading the book, but I have a much different perspective since a decade has passed since my first read through. I think the levity of the situation hit me much harder this go around.

I didn’t think much on the questions of aging before, but this time I saw more of those themes.

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planetshelf's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I don’t know whether it’s just because of who I am, but I don’t think this is very romantic. It is very centered around thoughts of sex and overly anatomical descriptions of bodies (boobs’ descriptions were weird and often related to acidic fruits and penises sounded repulsive), but doesn’t feel at all like other books I’ve read that are categorized as romances.

The way Jacob — 90 (or 93) — is written is wonderful. I don’t know exactly what elders think, but I grew up with grandparents as my guardians and I feel an oddly sentimental connection with the more utilitarian thoughts that were written.

I feel this may be worth mentioning: the author uses non-colloquial vocabulary when referring to a body. If that might be uncomfortable for you, you probably should let this one go.

Nonetheless, I liked it and thought it was a fun journey to read.

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jenna_justi2004's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Lots of thoughts. I love the different perspectives, Jacob from when he’s 93 and then when he’s like 20 something maybe even younger. The romance was kinda meh, I’m glad it wasn’t the main focus at least in my opinion. I’m really upset that old guy and Walter died. Walters last moments must have been horrifying. I’m glad Jacob took Queenie in. And Rosie especially. I’m also glad she killed august. I wonder how Marlene knew the baby wasn’t augusts baby. The abuse that Rosie sustained was unbearable and unbelievable it was the most horrific descriptions I have ever read in a book. Which also made me hate the hook at the same time. Also the ending, it was literally amazing. I’m so glad he can like die doing something he loves doing, you know in a circus at the very. It’s one of the best ways to end the book I feel like.

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cammiem8's review

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adventurous sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I can’t quite put my finger on why I didn’t enjoy this book more. I love books about old timey cheating, but the love story just didn’t quite grip me. The plot had enough turns to keep me engaged and I did listen through it very quickly. I also didn’t care much for the parts of the book set much later with the old man, I didn’t think the framing device added much of value.

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