Water for Elephants

By Sara Gruen

Jacob Jankowski is pushing 90 and is wallowing in a nursing home forgotten by his family. As Jacob lies in his bed, drifting in and out of sleep, the gripping story of his experiences as a young man are told in this wonderful novel.

The year is 1932 and America is in the throes of the depression. Jacob who is 23 and just shy of getting his degree in veterinary medicine learns his parents have been killed in a horrifying accident. Shocked by their deaths and penniless, Jacob jumps a train and finds himself traveling with the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. The world of the circus to Jacob becomes both a salvation and a living hell.

Starting at the bottom rung of the ranks of circus employees, Jacob’s veterinary knowledge lands him a job near the top among the company of the hot-headed ringmaster, August, and his beautiful wife, Marlena, the all-purpose female star of the show. Everyone in this third rate circus was lucky to have any job at all. Marlena is there because she married the wrong man.

Also found in the “Most Spectacular Show on Earth” are cantankerous midgets, beautiful women who “entertain,” and a full menagerie of exotic and soulful creatures. Then there is Rosie, the elephant, who becomes the great gray hope, the new act this is going to be the salvation of the circus. The only problem is, Rosie does not have an act and can’t even follow directions!

Ms. Gruen proves herself a great storyteller as depicts the uncanny and astounding bond between humans and animals. The bond that grows between Jacob, Marlena and Rosie is one of love and trust, which ultimately is their only hope of survival.

I loved this book. What wonderful storytelling and well-written characters! It totally held me spellbound!! This is a story that a reader remembers both for its plot and people. (animals, too) This is not a novel about a circus, per se, but a story of struggle and survival. Ms. Gruen has written an engrossing story with a world built of wonder as we go back in time with Jacob Jankowski to meet the people of his life of 1932. This is a book you don’t want to miss.

(by Anne Frame, Guest Columnist)