The circus train only had a limited amount of water on board, and elephants can drink 100300 litres per day approximately 2680 gallons. The animals are mangy, underfed or fed rotten food, and abused. Sara gruen has said that the backbone of her novel parallels the biblical story of jacob, in the book of genesis. Love is a very powerful emotion which is achieved by overcoming many hurdles and acting with courage. Stories similar to water for elephants books, stories, and novels like water for elephants by sara gruen. On the first night after his leaving cornell, for example, jacob as did his biblical namesake lies back on the bank, resting my. So, i read the story of jacob, son of isaac who was the son of abraham, who almost sacrificed isaac.
With its spotlight on elephants, gruens romantic pageturner hinges on the humananimal bonds that drove her debut and its sequel riding lessons and flying changesbut without the mass appeal. This is a book where i had actually seen the movie first, which then made me want. The whole book revolves around the elephant which had been brutally abused by previous circus trainers. During the time the of the books setting the depression was going on which is shown in the book because the circus at times has a hard time selling tickets and getting by that why they ended up redlighting people. An analysis of water for elephants using moral criticism when writers focus on morality, they try to write with a sense of moral so they do not corrupt the audience of the book. The latin word circus comes from the greek word kirkos, circle, ring, the roman circus included more blood shed and gladiators and fights where as modern circuses focus on acrobatics and animals. Sara gruen has written an utterly transporting novel richly full of the stuff of life. First of all, an integral part of the plot is jacob falling in love with his future wife, marlena.
Later in the book, it is suggested that he is a paranoid schizophrenic, to explain his violence. It has 335 pages, and is classified as historical romance and fiction. In the beginning of the novel, jacob mocks another resident of the nursing home who claims to have worked in the circus and carried water for the elephants. Thankfully we do not have to live in such a way as portrayed in water for elephants. This bravery can be shown towards anything and anyone, including humans and animals. It has received a lot of hype recently because it stars robert pattinson, but before it was a movie it was a book by sarah gruen. Apr 21, 2011 water for elephants was directed by francis lawrence, whose i am legend and constantine were not predictions of this relatively classic film. On average a circus train was sixty cars long which were filled with animals equipment and housing for the workers. It is our intent and purpose to foster and encourage indepth discussion about all things related to books. Jacob jankowski, a retired veterinarian living out his days in an assistedliving facility, drifts in and out of his memories.
Water for elephants teaches us that courage is everywhere, everyday. In one plot, jacob is a young guy just starting out in the world. During the time the of the books setting the depression was going on which is. May 26, 2006 water for elephants is the story of jacobs life with this circus. Water for elephants was directed by francis lawrence, whose i am legend and constantine were not predictions of this relatively classic film.
Water for elephants author sara gruen desperately trying to. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this wikipedia article constitutes fair use. Joshilyn jackson, author of gods in alabama so much more than a tale about a circus, water for elephants is a compelling journey not only under the big top, but into the protagonists heart. Gruen transports us into the world of a thirdrate traveling circus during the great depression. This may be a totally amateur answer, but i totally thought the book was titled water for elephants because of the old man in the book that jacob despised. If you like water for elephants, you might like little heathens by mildred armstrong kalish seabiscuit by laura hillenbrand the adventures of miles and isabel by tom gilling. The main focus is to keep corruption away from society. Water for elephants is a historical novel by sara gruen, written as part of national novel writing. Apr 21, 2011 the chicago tribune was less harsh, writing, like the notebook, but with an elephant, the unexpectedly good film version of water for elephants elevates pure corn to a completely satisfying realm. Sara gruen spares no detail in chronicling the squalid, filthy, brutish circumstances in which he finds himself.
Water for elephants the novel water for elephants is written by the bestselling author sarah gruen. The screenplay is by richard lagravenese, whose the horse whisperer also showed a sympathy for the personalities of animals. A water for elephants discussion from reading group guides writers digest interview with sara gruen. Was it braver to kill august or to refrain from doing so. The book was published on may 26, 2006, under algonquin books, in the united states of america. Water for elephants is the story of jacobs life with this circus. Jacob, the books narrator and protagonist, worked as a vet and trainer of sorts at a circus. On our first date, my husband took me to see tod brownings freaks, a 1932 horror film with a distinctly diane arbus feel. The story is told as a series of memories by jacob jankowski, a 93yearold man who lives in a nursing home. With its spotlight on elephants, gruens romantic pageturner hinges on the humananimal bonds that drove her debut and its sequel riding. In sara gruens water for elephants, courage is a key aspect for characters that. Water for elephants questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on water for elephants. Rosie the main characterelephant represents the americans in the great depression easily beaten down but in the end can take the battle and like rosie things get better. Sara gruens arresting new novel, water for elephants, explores similar subject matter the pathetic grandeur of the depressionera circus.
Sep, 2010 in ape house, the followup to her 2006 bestselling debut novel water for elephants, sara gruen turns from a depressionera circus elephant to bonobos, chimpazneelike apes that understand both english and american sign language. Water for elephants a depressionera circus provides the backdrop for sara gruens latest novel, water for elephants. So i purchased the book and slowly began retreating. Burns contemporary literature acp 29 september 2012 jacob and his decisions. Joshilyn jackson, author of gods in alabama so much more than a tale about a circus, water for elephants is a compelling journey not only. Author interview sara gruen, author of water for elephants. But its the setting and animal subplot that add flavor to this book. Download and read online for free water for elephants by sara gruen. Apr 22, 2011 8 big differences between water for elephants book and movie apr.
To ask other readers questions about water for elephants, please sign up. His lie telling the old ladies that he used to carry water for the elephants is what triggers jacobs memory about working with the circus. Her love for animals is very apparent in the book water for elephants and everything in the book came from random sources. Then gruen shifts readers attention away from the eerie circus to introduce the ninety or ninetythree year old protagonist, jacob jankowski. Novelist sara gruen sweeps her readers off their feet in the opening pages of water for elephantsand doesnt let go until she deposits them at the end of her fantastic tale of passion, madness and fancy. In sara gruens water for elephants, courage is a key aspect for characters that portray their love for other individuals and the animals. Only days before graduating from vet school in 1931, young jake learns his parents have died and left him penniless. Water for elephants by sara gruen at the best online ebook storage. Water for elephants author sara gruen desperately trying. Each week, our editors select the one author and one book they believe to be most worthy of your attention and highlight them in. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why. Two days after the store went live, gruen said she sold 40% of her inventory. In your opinion, what is the most courageous act in the book and why.
The title, water for elephants, is almost a little inside joke with the reader once weve finished the book, that is. She wrote the book as part of national novel writing month. Water for elephants movie tiein by sara gruen, paperback. Water for elephants presents an unexpected romance in a uniquely compelling setting. Water for elephants has two plots going on, both starring the same main character, jacob. Readers may find themselves churning through this book at a rapidfire pace, eager to see what lies ahead, then slowing down as they realize the pages are dwindling. Water for elephants resembles stealth hits like the giants house, by elizabeth mccracken, or the lovely bones, by alice sebold, books that combine outrageously whimsical premises with crowdpleasing romanticism. They create a plan to completely ruin the circus for good.
Sara gruen has a voice to rival john irvings, and i am hopelessly, unabashedly in love with this book. Water for elephants is a book that can be read and reread, recommended and handed. But on several levels i found this book unsatisfactory. Water for elephants symbols, allegory and motifs gradesaver. Gruen was best known for her 2006 book water for elephants. I read that the story of jacob is allegedly the backbone of water for elephants. I decided to not watch the movie when i heard it was coming out simply because i didnt want to possibly ruin the experience id had with the book if the movie wasnt uptopar.
The controlling metaphor in the book, water for elephants is the elephant. Veterinary school student jacob meets and falls in love with marlena, a sta. Water for elephants, 2007, sara gruen water for elephants is a historical novel by sara gruen, written as part of national novel writing month. The circus, the great depression, a complex elephant, equally complex love, the mists and twists of memory articulated in the utterly winning voice of a very old man whos seen it all. Based on the book by sara gruen, water for elephants is the story of jacob jankowski who as an old man is recounting the tale of when he first. The last notes of water for elephants linger long after the book ends. Review of water for elephants good books for catholic kids. Water for elephants begins dark and violent as it braces readers for the tumultuous circus atmosphere during the terrible years of the great depression. Trough water lemonade is a must at a water for elephants book club party. I read water for elephants for our book club, and i expected it to be as slow, dull, and superficial as most of the other books we have read. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Rosie is not as charismatic as a horse, and as jacob observes she. Mar 18, 2008 it came up as question 16 in the water for elephants reading group guide. Water for elephants is the new york times bestselling debut novel by sara gruen.
The climax of the the book, water for elephants, is when several survivors who were redlighted return to the circus during one of the shows. Its not surprising that the book portrays circus owners as people who arent so lenient with their money, especially uncle al. Water for elephants is a book that can be read and reread, recommended and handed off between friends. The truth is, it is summer and i am desperate for a distraction away from my recent obsession with greys anatomy reruns fueled by netflixs instant queue. The band starts playing very fast and the redlighters set all the circus animals loose. The novel follows a group of bonobos as they are moved from a university language lab to the set of their own reality channel. From my understanding of both works, the only clear connection is the theme of deception. Water for elephants is a story about an elderly man, jacob, who recalls an adventure in his younger years. Sara gruen keeps her cats ashes in an urn behind her desk and donates a portion of her book royalties to animal charities. Ive always been a complete sucker for animals, says gruen, whose novel water for elephants has garnered.
Water for elephants literary analysis, sample of reports. The chicago tribune was less harsh, writing, like the notebook, but with an elephant, the unexpectedly good film version of water for elephants elevates pure corn to. Its not terribly surprising, then, that one of the most memorable characters in this animal lovers new novel is a pachyderm named rosie. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of water for elephants by sara gruen. Water for elephants is one of my most favorite books. In ape house, the followup to her 2006 bestselling debut novel water for elephants, sara gruen turns from a depressionera circus elephant to bonobos, chimpazneelike apes that understand both english and american sign language. It may seem all sequins and charm on the top but underneath there is something darker. The water for elephants community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you. Read water for elephants absolutely for free at readanybook.
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