Water for Elephants: a novel of star-crossed lovers perfect for summer reading
Jul 2010 · Hachette UK
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98 reviews
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300
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About this ebook
THE INTERNATIONAL PHENOMENON AND NEW YORK TIMES MULTIMILLION COPY BESTSELLER
ALSO AN AWARD-WINNING FILM STARRING REESE WITHERSPOON AND ROBERT PATTINSON
'Great story, loads of fun; hard to put down.' STEPHEN KING
'Satisfyingly rich, outlandish and inspiring' Daily Telegraph
'Exotic and erotic, filled with colour and passion' FT
The Great Depression, 1929.
When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and utterly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, grifters, and misfits in the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth: a second-rate travelling circus struggling to survive by making one-night stands in town after endless town. Jacob, a veterinary student now unable to finish his degree, is put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. He meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. He also meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her.
ALSO AN AWARD-WINNING FILM STARRING REESE WITHERSPOON AND ROBERT PATTINSON
'Great story, loads of fun; hard to put down.' STEPHEN KING
'Satisfyingly rich, outlandish and inspiring' Daily Telegraph
'Exotic and erotic, filled with colour and passion' FT
The Great Depression, 1929.
When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and utterly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, grifters, and misfits in the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth: a second-rate travelling circus struggling to survive by making one-night stands in town after endless town. Jacob, a veterinary student now unable to finish his degree, is put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. He meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. He also meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her.
Illuminated by a wonderful sense of time and place, Water for Elephants tells a story of a love between two people that overcomes incredible odds, in a world in which love is a luxury few can afford.
THE INTERNATIONAL PHENOMENON AND NEW YORK TIMES MULTIMILLION COPY BESTSELLER
ALSO AN AWARD-WINNING FILM STARRING REESE WITHERSPOON AND ROBERT PATTINSON
'Great story, loads of fun; hard to put down.' STEPHEN KING
'Satisfyingly rich, outlandish and inspiring' Daily Telegraph
'Exotic and erotic, fil...
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Ratings and reviews
98 reviews
ann bishop
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October 23, 2026
I have really enjoyed this story, ultimately, it is a love story but the social history on how these big circuses were run, how the people lived, is fascinating. There were lots of words I haven't heard before, so those and the alcohol poisoning had me googling for more information. So, together, the history and the story made it a very enjoyable read.
Sani Thomas
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March 20, 2013
A wonderful book with deep insight into the feelings and experiences of elderly people. A reminder to all of us that infirmity does not equal loss of intelligence, old age does not preclude knowledge and life experience.
1 person found this review helpful
Angelina Teofilova
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November 10, 2024
Everything from the story to the author's writing style is perfect about this book. I would have wanted more if it didn't finish so perfectly.
About the author
Sara Gruen is the internationally bestselling author of Water for Elephants and At The Water's Edge. Her works have been translated into forty-three languages and have sold more than ten million copies worldwide.
Water for Elephants was adapted into a major motion picture starring Reese Witherspoon, Rob Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz.
She lives in Western North Carolina with her husband and three children.
saragruen.com
facebook.com/SaraGruenBooks
twitter.com/saragruen
Sara Gruen is the internationally bestselling author of Water for Elephants and At The Water's Edge. Her works have been translated into forty-three languages and have sold more than ten million copies worldwide.
Water for Elephants was adapted into a major motion picture starring Reese Witherspo...
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