kokimatokii

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS is like candy for readers. It was one of two best books I've read in the past year. In fact, it probably ranks as one of my favorite books of all time. It was expertly, yet simply, written by Sara Gruen. The novel tells the story from the perspective of Jacob Jankowski who currently resides in a nursing home. The story alternates between Jacob's current living situation and the story of his past, how he once worked in a circus during the first part of the 20th century. The impending visit of a traveling circus next door to the nursing home prompts him to remember the details of his circus life/experiences when he was a young man. Gruen's description of the nursing home, its residents, and its day-to-day activities was spot-on. Having visited my grandparents on several occasions in their nursing home, I could easily visualize and relate to Jacob's experiences. It really came to life. You can tell that a lot of research was also put into the circus recollections of Jacob Jankowski. Gruen delves into circus life in the early 20th century when circuses traveled via train from town to town, and animal welfare and regulations were little more than an afterthought. I found all of Jankowski's experiences intriguing and actually felt like I was experiencing them right along with him. The characterizations felt realistic, too, and I could easily distinguish between the many different circus workers, and even some of the more prominent animals. Now that I've read this fantastic book, I'm very eager to see the forthcoming movie adaptation. I'd like to say that I'd love to see a sequel to this great tale; however, I think Jacob Jankowski's story has already been told in full in this one well-crafted novel.

2023-01-05 02:01