Showing all 6 items Jump to: Summaries (5) Synopsis (1) Summaries. Read more. Title: Is "Water for Elephants" based on a book. The footage, provided by Animal Defenders International (ADI), shows Tai and other elephants being abused by trainers from the company Have Trunk Will Travel. I think it is because I couldn't get a very good sense of the characters. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in, No Import Fees Deposit & $9.39 Shipping to Germany. Water for Elephants Audiobook Free. 61 of 89 people found this review helpful. The circus now enjoys a new found public adulation. And, I love animals, so I also wanted to be excited about the horses, the elephant, but similarly I was not given adequate pathway to know and love and desire to spend more time with them in the story. A chronicle of the childhood of a post-World War I leader. At the beginning of, With its spotlight on elephants, Gruen's romantic page-turner hinges on the human-animal bonds that drove her debut and its sequel (. Water for Elephants is the story of Jacob's life with this circus. Both were an adventurous experience. Please try again. Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! Since her novel Water for Elephants sold 10 million copies worldwide and inspired a movie starring Reese Witherspoon, Sara Gruen has received … I read in order to enter the world of the story and hunger to experience it more. One or the other." . Sara Gruen spares no detail in chronicling the squalid, filthy, brutish circumstances in which he finds himself. Water for Elephants (2011) Plot. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Thus she messes up all their lives and futures, rather then help her loved-ones. During a party to celebrate the moon landing she takes her own small step... C.I.A. This is a book where I had actually seen the movie first, which then made me want to read the novel. Or ninety-three. Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2017. Very pleased with the supplier , book was in good condition and arrived well in time after ordering. Set in the 1930s, a former veterinary student takes a job in a travelling circus and falls in love with the ringmaster's wife. Uncle Al, the circus impresario, is a self-serving, venal creep who slaps people around because he can. This book helps to remind us all that ordinary people have extraordinary tales to tell if we would just bother to slow down and listen. Unable to add item to List. To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number. A 42-year-old Asian elephant named Tai — most recently known for the role of Rosie in Fox’s Water for Elephants — was abused by its trainers in … Grady and I sat at a battered wooden table, each facing a burger on a dented tin plate. Unfortunately, Jacob Jankowski, the novel's narrator and protagonist, carries less conviction than the period idiom. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. In fact she does everything wrong. 21 people found this helpful. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 18, 2015. To replicate the salty vernacular of a Depression-era circus, Gruen, in her third novel, did extensive research in archives and in the field, and her work pays off admirably. Actor Robert Pattinson takes us into a brief, desperate, hunger-filled moment in the life of Robert Pattinson. Water for Elephants is proof that author Sara Gruen understands storytelling techniques. Read more. Sara Gruen spares no detail in chronicling the squalid, filthy, brutish circumstances in which he finds himself. The animals are mangy, underfed or fed rotten food, and abused. 148 quotes from Water for Elephants: ‘When two people are meant to be together, they will be together. Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2017. I didn't get much to bely her desirability. He remembers his time spent working for a 1930s American travelling circus. It stars Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz. . They were also the salvation and rescue of lovable elephant Rosie. I barely had a sense of what they looked like, and I certainly wasn't hungry to know either of them more. Set in the 1930s, a former veterinary student takes a job in a travelling circus and falls in love with the ringmaster's wife. Jacob is the only person in the book who has a handle on a moral compass and as his reward he spends most of the novel beaten, broken, concussed, bleeding, swollen and hungover. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. is always on the lookout for "born freaks." Jacob, once it becomes known that he has veterinary skills, is put in charge of the "menagerie" and all its ills. Water for Elephants is a rich surprise, a delightful gem springing from a fascinating footnote to history that absolutely deserved to be mined.” —The Denver Post “So compelling, so detailed and vivid, that I couldn’t bear to be torn away from it for a single minute.” Stacie picked it for me for our Random Reads feature - and that's why I love doing this feature, so I can try things out of my comfort zone. At its finest, "Gritty, sensual and charged with dark secrets involving love,murder and a majestic,mute heroine (Rosie the Elephant)."—Parade. A young man having an existential crisis convinces a Canadian self-help guru to come to London and become his personal life coach. Free trial available! The writing was not intimate enough to allow me to love them. We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Marlena was not described in a way that communicated to me that she was unique from any other person. Set in the 1930s, a former veterinary student takes a job in a travelling circus and falls in love with the ringmaster's wife. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free. I loved all the action and throughout the whole book, I was constantly thinking, what's going to happen next. What makes "Water for Elephants" more intriguing is a third character, reminding us why Christoph Waltz deserved his supporting actor Oscar for "Inglourious Basterds" (2009). There's impossible love and sadness but also of hope. Highly recommend this Author. . Discover Water for Elephants as it's meant to be heard, narrated by David LeDoux, John Randolph Jones. This novel is one of them. It describes the excitement , hardships , intrigues amongst circus folk and town people that come to watch the show. After his parents' death, Jacob Jankowski is left penniless and homeless. The love story was a big part of the entirety, and I just did not feel anything for either of them, nor for their development. Trailer #2: Water for Elephants A veterinary student (Robert Pattinson) abandons his studies after his parents are killed and joins a traveling circus as their vet, where he meets animal trainer August (Christoph Waltz) and his wife Marlena (Reese Witherspoon). If you like to read, get the book. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. The Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth is a roving fleabag ensemble of "cooch tents," "kinkers," and "hay burners," whose tyrannical m.c. You come to care about the animal and humans alike in this novel and find yourself wrapped inside their world before you know it. The hardcover remained on the NYT list for more than 10 months. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 18, 2019. The story is told as a series of memories by Jacob Jankowski, a 93-year-old man who lives in a nursing home. A photographer for LIFE Magazine is assigned to shoot pictures of James Dean. There wasn't ever a time that I thought there was a boring part in the book either- hard to do, since it's so long. Where at times it seemed like all they were handed was despair by the hand of August, they were each other's greatest find and salvation. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? I watched the movie so I had to get the book. Water for Elephants (2011) "Life is the most spectacular show on earth." Only three people were left under the red and white awning of the grease joint: Grady, me, and the fry cook. (2011). Water for Elephants is a 2011 American romantic drama film directed by Francis Lawrence and written by Richard LaGravenese, based on Sara Gruen's 2006 novel of the same name. Mad: Dances with Wolverine: A Footloose Parody/Tater Tots & Tiaras. Water for Elephants is the story of Jacob's life with this circus. Without being trite and redundant, it explores timeless and universal themes such as finding one's destiny and freedom, life choices, love, and jealousy, put in an interesting setting, that is the circus world -- the early 1900s when the US prohibition and depression were taking place -- which is nicely recreated on screen (by production designer Jack Fisk who's mostly known for his work with Terence Malick and David Lynch). Directed by Francis Lawrence. KT. Publication date: 26 May 2006 (1st edition). Love the novel so much, I've read it twice. I didn't care deeply about them or feel much intrigue. While I enjoyed the movie with Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon, the novel is far better. Report abuse. When the young Jacob joins the circus he soon finds his fledgling veterinary skills put to the test. The love story between Jacob and Marlena is one that will stay with you through time. It's a must read. I was able to enjoy reading the book, but the sense of distance from the characters is also a little bit of a downer. The crowd loves it--and so will the reader. Written by Cannot recommend this book enough. Please try your request again later. I have to say this is not the kind of book I would usually pick up for myself - it mostly sounded like a romance, and that's just not my kind of thing. It's fate.’ Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. There was a problem loading your book clubs. This book was amazing! You'll be drawn in and enjoy it. Water for Elephants is illuminated by a wonderful sense of time and place. Spoiler Warning: These book club discussion questions reveal important details about Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. KTLA's Lu Parker investigates undercover video documenting the alleged abuse of Tai, the elephant featured in the Reese Witherspoon/Robert Pattinson film, "Water For Elephants." Water for Elephants was published by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill in May 2006. Her style of writing is brilliant. I found the book exciting better than the actual movie. Jacob is told what to eat and what to do. Life is good for Jacob Jankowski. KT. Karen Cooper wants to domineer her family and believes she's its pillar. "[An] arresting new novel. Soon after its publication, the book appeared on national hardcover bestseller lists, including the New York Times list. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. She lives in western North Carolina with her husband and three sons, along with their dogs, cats, horses, birds, and the world’s fussiest goat. Then his parents are killed in a car crash, leaving him in the middle of the Great Depression with no home, no family, and no career. After his parents' death, Jacob Jankowski is left penniless and homeless. It is easy to see Marlena's and Rosie's pink sequins under the Big Top and to imagine their perfect choreography as they perform unbelievable stunts. The ending is absolutely ludicrous and really quite lovely. . At times the injustice may make you feel like you want to jump off but stay till end - it is beyond worth it! Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2018. This lushly romantic novel travels back in forth in time between Jacob's present day in a nursing home and his adventures in the surprisingly harsh world of 1930s circuses. Use the HTML below. It’s an era one would never want to return to but nevertheless fascinating. Water for Elephants is so much more than some damsel in distress love story, and her dark, creepy circus guy husband. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill; Roughcut edition (May 26, 2006). If you are a reader and like to get lost in adventure read the story. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. The story begins when a nonagenarian named Jacob Jankowski reminisces. Was this review helpful to you? Sara Gruen's arresting new novel, "Water for Elephants," explores similar subject matter — the pathetic grandeur of the Depression-era circus. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. He is the self-appointed Protector of the Downtrodden, and... he falls in love with Marlena, crazy August's wife. I highly recommend this wonderful novel. Rated PG-13 for moments of intense violence and sexual content, Hal Holbrook, Emmy and Tony-Winning Actor Who Portrayed Mark Twain, Dies at 95, Amazon Prime Video New Releases: November 2020, Amazon Prime Announces Over 75 New Movies/TV Shows For November, Everything Coming to Prime Video in November 2020. Who, where, and why are you running away? The books is so much richer. The circus seems to bring out the optimistic and wide-eyed child in us all, and this story was no different. Five unique short films that focus on the lives of a group of beautiful yet troubled twenty-somethings, this compilation explores ... See full summary ». The horse belonging to the wife of the circus owner becomes terminally ill. Jacob makes the decision to put the animal out of its misery. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Water for Elephant Rosie in Circus by Sara Gruen, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 21, 2017. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 21, 2018. I was trying to figure out why. If you like to read, get the book. Sadly the enjoyment is short lived. Events lead him to joining the circus as their vet, working under their unstable boss August whose violent tendencies give everyone reason to be cautious around him, including his beautiful and quiet wife Marlena, whom August is very possessive of and who Jacob finds himself soon falling in love with. I did not feel vicarious excitement at their attraction. I read Water for Elephants a few years ago and from time to time, I reread my favorite novels. He had turned off the fryer some time ago, but the odor of grease lingered. For me 'Water for elephants' is a story I won't forget! The ending of both stories is a little too cheerful to be believed, but just like a circus, the magic of the story and the writing convince you to suspend your disbelief. Reading the interview with the author at the end of the book I was amazed to discover that so much of the details were true. Something went wrong. Water for Elephants was adapted into a major motion picture starring Reese Witherspoon, Rob Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz in 2011. I watched the film/movie titled 'Water for elephants' before reading the book. From "Dexter" to The Suicide Squad, here are our picks for the reboots and remakes we're most excited for in 2021 and beyond. Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2019. The book is partially based on real circus stories and illustrated with historical circus photographs. It is gritty and a true depiction of circus life, warts and all. In the end, fantasy wins, and the reader, like the rube visiting a circus, gets what he wants: a beautiful, escapist illusion. 70. I fairly much inhaled this book over two evenings, and seeing the movie didn't curb my sense of excitement and mystery as I worked through the story. Water for Elephants is a 2011 American romantic drama film directed by Francis Lawrence and written by Richard LaGravenese, based on Sara Gruen's 2006 novel of the same name. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. A romantic drama centered on two new lovers: Tyler, whose parents have split in the wake of his brother's suicide, and Ally, who lives each day to the fullest since witnessing her mother's murder. August, the animal trainer, is a certified paranoid schizophrenic whose occasional flights into madness and brutality often have Jacob as their object. The books is so much richer. Copyright © 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. The book was published in 2006 by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. --Valerie Ryan. Water for Elephants is so much more than some damsel in distress love story, and her dark, creepy circus guy husband. The world of the circus: to Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell. Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2016. A chronicle of a young man's rise to power in Paris via his manipulation of the city's wealthiest and most influential women. Gruen transports us into the world of a third-rate traveling circus during the Great Depression. They didn't draw me in. Only the violent use of a bull hook persuades it to obey. I review Water for Elephants a couple of years earlier and also periodically, I reread my preferred stories. I did have some urge to read it, but it did not compel me to read it in the way that I most like. Unfortunately the animal fails to respond to any verbal instruction. Water for Elephants, 2007, Sara Gruen Water for Elephants is a historical novel by Sara Gruen, written as part of National Novel Writing Month. Fortunately the situation changes when Jacob discovers the animal is familiar with the Polish language. One of the clever aspects of it is the way it is told through the eyes of Jacob as an old man, and also flits between that and events as they happen. It is hard to read a nice enough tolerable story that is not magic. Water for Elephants is a Historical Fiction Romance Novel written by Sara Gruen as a part of National Novel Writing Month about circus life in Depression-era America.It was first published on May 26, 2006. " Water for Elephants resembles stealth hits like The Giant's House, by Elizabeth McCracken, or The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold, books that combine outrageously whimsical premises with crowd-pleasing romanticism. Gruen wrote the book as part of the National Novel Writing Month. Memories of himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen is a must read a story about a 90-year-old man remembering his days with a circus during The Great Depression.Use these book club discussion questions on Water for Elephants to lead your book club's conversation on the story. It centres around a young orphaned penniless Jacob Jankowski who's desperate for a change , who dropped out of college just before his finals to becoming a vet because of his circumstances on losing his Mom and Dad and lack of funds. Fate steps in when an elephant is acquired as a substitute. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. It's nice and refreshing to see a classically-made-and-looking film coming out of Hollywood. About the young life and loves of artist Salvador Dalí, filmmaker Luis Buñuel and writer Federico García Lorca. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Although the book is billed as a novel of star crossed lovers I felt the book opened up a completely new world to me. Report abuse. 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