Friday, April 29, 2011

Water for Elephants



Glorious.  I. Loved. This. Book.  I've been debating on reading Water for Elephants for quite some time now, but every time I picked it up, I thought, "Ehh...I'm not so sure this is going to be for me."  A friend told me it was the most amazing book ever, and all the other books I knew she liked, I liked.  I figured I was safe.  I'm one of those people who buys books if I plan on reading them.  I love the look of books on my shelf, and I swell with excitement when I see my collection growing.


I bought this book, and boy am I glad.  I finished reading it three nights ago, and I was left craving.  The plot is so well thought out and unique.  All the information had some type of truth to it, and I think that is one thing that made it so great.  Sara Gruen definitely did her homework on this book, and it paid off.  


The book starts off fantastic.  It's enthralling right away, and I couldn't stop turning the pages, because I needed to know what would happen next.  The main character, Jacob, started off as an old man.  He is ninety-three or ninety.  Which one, he cannot remember for certain.  I fell in love with his character, not when he was described as a younger, attractive man, but when he was ninety-three or ninety.  He had me laughing on the floor at times, and other moments my heart would be breaking from the pain he went through and his honesty.  I giggled like a little kid, uncontrollably at times (even when people were shooting me funny looks), and I cried like a baby at the same time.  The emotion in the book was so tangible and strong, that I felt so much of the sadness, happiness, fear, hope, and despair at times.  


This book is now a major motion picture, starring Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon.  I will definitely go see the movie once it comes to town, but I don't think it can compare to the book, like most movies based on books cannot.  I would recommend this book to ages 16+.  There are several graphic parts with sex in them, and any younger would not be appropriate.  I guess I can't really be the judge of what parents want their children reading, so parents of young children might want to read it first.  Despite that, it's a wonderful, moving book, and you'll find yourself wanting to go to the circus as soon as possible!

5 comments:

  1. I think water for elephants is great! Thanks for sharing this!...Daniel

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  2. Thanks! Yes, it is a wonderful book! I can't wait to see the movie!

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  3. I only recently read this book, too. I think the title threw me...I so did not want to read about elephants...nobody told me it was a love story. It still didn't make my Top 20 or anything, but good book for sure.

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  4. Haha Lety! I shoulda known that's what you said :)

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