Comments on: Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen

By: Rose City Reader

Rose City Reader — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 04:11:43 +0000

I loved this book while I read it. But it has not stuck with me. I seem to have forgotten everything about it — and it hasn’t even been a year since I read it.

By: Mrs S | Blue Archipelago

Mrs S | Blue Archipelago — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 17:04:56 +0000

I have this one on my wish list and have read mixed reviews – I was interested to see what you thought.

By: Teddy

Teddy — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:45:48 +0000

Thanks so much for linking my review. Too bad you didn’t enjoy it as much as I did. I’m glad you liked it.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 22:12:56 +0000

Fyrefly – The pictures really did add a lot to the book for me. Still, I think listening to the audio book might have made it a more enjoyable experience.

Heather – I completely agree about the portrayal of Jacob as an old man. I was really impressed with how realistic it was.

Jeane – I guess that is the risk you take with foreshadowing – sometimes it ruins the punch.

Sarah – It sounds as though this book was worth the read for you, if just for the added insight. I love that books can do that!

Florinda – I’ve added a link to your review. Thanks for sharing.

Care – I understand that compulsion. Even though I didn’t love it either, I think it’s a readable and recommendable book.

Blake – I think this book seeks to dissuade people of the notion that joining the circus is romantic. So, yes, I think you might like it even if you don’t buy in to the romanticism of “running away to join the circus.”

Suzi – As you probably gathered from my review, I agree.

Gentle Reader – It makes me think that Gruen should maybe write a nonfiction book about the circus.

Amy – I definitely agree, learning more about the circus was the main redeeming characteristic of the book.

By: Amy

Amy — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:02:25 +0000

I felt the same way you did about the book but you probably wrote it out better than you did. The best part was just reading about circus life in general.

By: gentle reader

gentle reader — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:26:40 +0000

I felt similarly! So many people love, love, loved this book, and I found the subject matter fascinating, but I didn’t love the story, or find the characters that engaging…

By: Suzi

Suzi — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:49:41 +0000

I read this a while back and really didn’t dig it. The characters just didn’t appeal to me, and I didn’t feel drawn to their world. The details were good though. Just overall…meh. Kinda didn’t care what happened to anyone.

Also, I thought the ending was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too contrived.

By: blake

blake — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 20:19:34 +0000

This book sounds like it depends on the viewer holding the notion of running away and joining the circus as romantic. Would I like it even if I disagree?

By: Water for Elephants « Care’s Online Book Club

Water for Elephants « Care’s Online Book Club — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:39:05 +0000

[...] The ending was terrific. Charming, even. So much so that I’ll give 3 stars out of 5. Two and half out of five? No, I’ll stick with 3 stars out of 5. Another review: http://thebluestockings.com/2008/09/water-for-elephants/ [...]

By: Care

Care — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:36:59 +0000

I wasn’t totally in love with this book but I find myself recommending it. I, too, loved the Jacob as an old man parts of the story.