Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen

Paperback: 418 pages
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Two Roads (First Published in GB) 2011
Source: From a Bookcrosser as the result of a Bookmooch
First Sentence: Prologue 'Only three people were left under the red and white awning of the grease joint: Grady, me and the fry cook.'
Favourite Quote:   “Life is the most spectacular show on earth ”  
Review Quote: 'Trust us, Water for Elephants is going to be one of the surprise hits of 2011. Sara Gruen's very readable novel is a story of impossible love set in the circus world during the 1930s and is set to be made into a blockbuster film starring Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon. You heard it here first.'
'Good Housekeeping' 
My Opinion: Exceptional read

The last novel I read and reviewed was also about animals but this could not be more different and after struggling to get into the last one, I loved this from the minute I picked it up and found it to be an exceptional read. The authors love of animals and the tremendous research she did for this novel make it not only a fascinating portrayal of life, ugly and vibrant in the American circus of the 1930's but a beautiful and tender love story. I had never even heard of circus trains until I read this either and learning a little something when I read also appeals to me.

The title had been on my wishlist for awhile so I was delighted to obtain a copy recently and wanted to get on with reading so that I can see the film, which has been recommended to me. 

Since seeing elephants up close in Thailand, I also have more understanding of just how intelligent they are. Wonderful creatures which will treat humans well if they are given the respect they deserve. Sara Gruen portrays the nature of the elephant perfectly, for me Rosie was the real protagonist of the novel. The novel is told as two separate but connected stories, as well as being immersed in the circus world, we are also given an inside view of a home for the elderly where the hero of the story Jacob is now living. Again the author has done her research as the scenes in the nursing home were poignant and all too familiar to me in many ways. 

When the novel starts Jacob Jankowski is in his nineties and living in a nursing home and the imminent arrival of the circus in town revives some very stirring memories for the old man and it is these that are told in the other storyline.

It is the American Depression and when Jacob's parents die while he is studying veterinary science at university, he discovers that they were in dire financial difficulties and he cannot even afford to complete his studies. Confused and bewildered with no plans for his future he finds himself hitching a ride on a circus train and in that moment his whole life changes. By the following morning he finds himself working for the travelling circus and by that evening he has met and fallen for the woman who will for evermore be the love of his life. Marlena, the star performer, however the love should remain unrequited as she is married to August the strangely mad animal trainer.  Of course it is not long either before he also meets my particular favourite, Rosie the elephant. Whilst struggling to survive in the world of this second rate travelling circus this young couples love overcomes obstacles that you can not begin to imagine. 

The two stories are ultimately woven together but to find out just how you will have to read for yourself. I highly recommend you read this if you have not already done so. I think most avid readers will find something they like about this one.

Water For Elephants - Movie Trailer - I do not personally feel there are any spoilers in this video.

Link to watch on YouTube

Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, Christoph Waltz, James Frain

Based on the acclaimed bestseller, "Water for Elephants" presents an unexpected romance in a uniquely compelling setting. Veterinary school student Jacob meets and falls in love with Marlena, a star performer in a circus of a bygone era. They discover beauty amidst the world of the Big Top, and come together through their compassion for a special elephant. Against all odds - including the wrath of Marlena's charismatic but dangerous husband, August - Jacob and Marlena find lifelong love.

Water For Elephants trailer courtesy 20th Century Fox.

Author Profile

Sara Gruen is a Canadian-born author with Canadian and U.S. dual citizenship. Her books deal greatly with animals and she is a supporter of numerous charitable organizations that support animals and wildlife.  She now lives in America with her husband, three children, two dogs, two cats, three goats, and a horse. She already has her eye on another horse and a donkey.

The biographical information and photo used in this post are with thanks to the following websites, where you can also find more information about the author and her writing.

Goodreads - Author Profile    Author Official Website  Sara Gruen - Amazon Profile    YouTube

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Paperback: 444 pages

Genre: Fiction

Publisher: Penguin 2009

Source: Gift from a friend

First Sentences: 'Mae Mobley was born on a early Sunday morning in august 1960. a church baby we like to call it. Taking care a white babies, that's what I do, along with all the cooking and the cleaning. I done raised seventeen kids in my lifetime.

Review Quote: “Lush, original and poignant, Kathryn Stockett has written a wondrous novel set in the deep south told through the authentic voices of Aibileen, Minnie and Skeeter, three unforgettable women whose lives and points of view intersect vividly against a landscape of hopeful change in America. You will be swept away as they work, play and love during a time when possibilities for women were few but their dreams of the future were limitless. A glorious read.”Adriana Trigiani, BestSelling Author.

Favourite Quote: “Wasn't that the point of the book? For women to realize, we are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I'd thought.”

My opinion: A future classic.

My favourite quote above also just happens to be the author's favourite as well because it sums up the essence of this brilliant novel. A future classic this is one of those novels where the story and characters will live on in your memory long after you've finished the book.
At first I found the American African vernacular dialect a little difficult to follow but it clicked after a few pages and helps towards a proper feel of the environment. Of course I knew about the treatment of African Americans and that it was still going on even when I was a little girl in the sixties but I have never read anything from the point of view that this novel gives us. This story is not about the big picture but about the nitty gritty of everyday life that these domestic staff had to face. It is both horrifying and sad yet there were moments when I also found myself laughing. A real insight into the prejudices that were part of everyday mundane life, that the white women they worked for really believed were fully justified! The characters are all extremely well developed, even the more minor ones and the historical background and local environs are well described.


Set in Jackson, Mississippi in the early sixties the story is narrated by three female protagonists, Aibileen Clark and Minny Jackson two African American maids and Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan a young woman who has just returned home with a degree in journalism. It is the unexpected friendship of these three women that results in the publication of a book that gives a previously unheard of voice to the community's suffering. These three women are drawn together by a secret project of 'Skeeter's' to help her fulfil her dream of becoming a writer and moving to New York rather than staying in Jackson to be married off to a rich man from a good southern family. Eugenia is drawn to Aibileen a maid in her fifties, who despite enduring many hardships and discrimination remains dedicated, kind and loyal to her employers and the children she raises for them. Minny the third in the group is a complete opposite to Aibileen, she is younger and finds it harder to keep her opinions to herself when her employers discriminate against her. Therefore she  finds it hard to get suitable positions within the local community due to her attitude. These three make quite a team!


The Help is fiction by and large but as Kathryn was raised by an African American in lieu of an absentee mother, she herself admits in her own words at the end of the novel that she had taken her childhood carer Demetrie for granted, it was just everyday life. Kathryn says she wished for many years, that she had been old enough and thoughtful enough to ask her exactly what it was like working for a white family. Unfortunately she died when Kathryn was just sixteen and for many years she has thought about just what her answer would have been. That is the reason she wrote this brilliant and compelling novel, which I am sure I am one of the last to read. If you have not done so yet, I urge you to do so. I am now looking forward to seeing the film which from what I hear from friends has transferred well to the screen.

Author Profile:

Kathryn Stockett was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. After graduating from the University of Alabama with a degree in English and Creative Writing, she moved to New York City, where she worked in magazine publishing and marketing for nine years. The Help is her first novel and was published in 2009 having taken her five years to complete, it was then rejected by 60 literary agents before she found someone prepared to represent her. Since its successful publication The Help has been published in 35 countries in three languages and had sold over five million copies by August 2011 when the film version was released.

Information and photo used in this post are with thanks to the following websites.

Goodreads Author Profile


Kathryn Stockett - Wikipedia


Kathryn Stockett - IMDb You can view two film trailers on this site.


Kathryn Stockett - Official Website


Amazon Author Profile Page

I have chosen to read this title as the letter H for The A - Z Book Challenge which I have decided to attempt to achieve in alphabetical order. I have a good selection of titles to choose from our bookshelves, it will be interesting to see how far I can get before I get stuck. You can follow my progress here 

I have also linked this review to Literary Friday