Book Review - Water For Elephants

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen seamlessly weaves a tale of running off to join a circus with that of a man at the end of his time looking death directly in the eye. This tale of remembrance and the twists that life can take is one of the best at working two compelling stories into a comprehensive whole.

This engaging adventure begins in a nursing home where we meet 97 year old Joseph. His physical frailty is belied by his contrariness and determination. The guy's got an attitude. He's dealing not only with his body breaking down, but his mind is becoming less reliable too. Then, while he watches from the window of the nursing home, a circus starts setting up right across the street. From that moment on the goal becomes clear. Joseph is going to see the circus!

Seeing the circus tents being erected, Joseph is drawn back into the memories of his own past. The story expertly follows the young man's circus adventures after his parents die and he's left with no resources or college diploma. Gruen explores the depression era and how it directly effects Joseph and his reactions and the adventures that stem from that time. Flipping back and forth between the young Joseph and the old Joseph effectively builds the tension - you will stay up late to find out what happens and to cheer the old man on.

The story takes a hard look at the transient circus life and how both the profession and the times dictated the ways that the employees were used and abused. The hierarchies involved in the harsh treatment are clearly spelled out: performers at the top - workers at the bottom. The characters are fleshed out and compelling enough that you find yourself wanting to know more about all of them. Even the ones you'd like to smack.

One of the most disturbing scenes involves the elephants that Joseph is caring for as the animal trainer. Though the animals aren't the only ones who are mistreated, if you're an animal lover it may be hard to take.

This is a great book I can't recommend enough and if you liked this one you might want to try Gruen's others: Riding Lessons and Flying Changes.