And so on to the other word-of-mouth-recommendation-on-the-cover book. Funny how these random patterns crop up. This is no doubt a mere coincidence, as is the fact that two books in a row that I've read happen to have been about circuses. That's largely where the similarities end though. As I mentioned previously, I'd never heard of this book and it's a very different and much more straightforward tale than anything I can imagine coming from the pen of Angela Carter.
Set in the early years of Depression-era America, Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen is the story of Jacob, a veterinary student hit by sudden tragedy, who runs away to join the circus. No, really. His joining of the circus is accidental, but his training soon makes him valuable to his new employers. What follows is two love stories, a conventional one, as Jacob falls for an already-married performer, and also one of his relationships with his charges, particularly the elephant Rosie.
It highlights the hardships of the Depression well, showing how ruthless people could survive, while others were simpl glad to be fed, if not paid, and how bonds can be quickly forged and fall apart just as easily. The brief distraction from the suffering of life brought by the circus also works well. It is told by Jacob looking back on past events as a very old man in a nursing home. Although I didn't feel this added much to the story, neither did it detract from it. I also felt that until quite a way into it, I was never wholly convinced that the narrator was male, something about it just didn't sit right with me. That said, it was an enjoyable enough, easy read with a solid plot, likeable characters and that is no bad thing in my book.
Book number: 75
Title: Water for Elephants
Author: Sara Gruen
Category: Books by authors I've never heard of
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