Water for Elephants
I originally bought Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen as a gift for Mrs. Cayenne. I read some good things about the book, and I thought that she’d like it. The clincher though was that Mrs. Cayenne was once in the circus herself (no bearded lady jokes, please).
As it turns out, I’m a genius. Mrs. Cayenne did enjoy Water for Elephants. So much so, she convinced me to give it a read. I didn’t think it would be my thing for some reason. It turned out to be a very good story.
The book takes place during the Great Depression. A personal tragedy causes a Cornell veterinary student to turn his back on his old life – in the middle of his final exams of his senior. A veterinarian in all but diploma, he ends up joining a traveling circus as a laborer. If you’ve ever seen the HBO show Carnivale, you have a good mental image of what the circus is like, minus the supernatural “what the…” of the TV show. Lots of insider lingo, a cooch tent, etc.
The story is told from the vantage point of a crotchety old man reflecting on his life from within a nursing home. A circus that has begun setting up across the street begins a series of flashbacks to his time with the circus. The story alternates back and forth between the nursing home and the doctor’s youth.
We learn that his Ivy League veterinary skills quickly improve his fortunes within the circus. A love interest is formed, complications arise, and conflict ensues. I won’t spoil any of the plot. However, an elephant that is obtained by the circus as a status symbol features prominently in the story.
The book is very well written. The characters are well developed and the plot keeps you coming back to find out how things are going to turn out. You can’t ask for much more than that.
March 8, 2007 7:00 am 
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By Russ, March 8, 2007 @ 8:51 am
Water For Elephants is a book I take special pride in-I did a string of promotions for that book, and watching it become a best-seller by being beloved and enjoyed (rather than because a publishing house decided it should be so) was a thrill and a joy.
it’s a great, great book-gruen got paid an amazing sum for her next two already.
By DJ Cayenne, March 8, 2007 @ 9:57 am
It is published by a small publisher as well, no? I hadn’t heard of them, but maybe they’re an imprint of some behemoth. I guess your hard work paid off. Somewhere or other I came across some good notices for this one.
By Nitro Nicole, March 8, 2007 @ 10:20 am
It was a great book with very colorful, hilarious, characters. I actually thought I had posted on this but in scrolling through BGB – I guess I never did. Mr. Nitro also read it and really enjoyed it so we can add this to the list of good books for guys and gals…….