Water for Elephants: a novel for everyone who dreamed of running away to the circus

Paperback Published on: 07/02/2008
Price: £10.99
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Bookseller Reviews

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Water for Elephants
Water for Elephants
An interesting subject matter, life in the circus, which engages you. Varied characters that I felt were not explored enough. Powerfully told through the v... READ MORE
Hannah Mulligan Ward at Woking
Water for Elephants
A classic for me
This book is such a comfort read for me, I go back to it every year either when i'm in a reading slump or just want something familiar to go back to. The s... READ MORE
Amy at Telford

Synopsis

THE INTERNATIONAL PHENOMENON AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
NOW A FILM STARRING REESE WITHERSPOON AND ROBERT PATTINSON

'Great story, loads of fun; hard to put down.' STEPHEN KING

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 BrothersMost 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.

Publisher information

  • Publisher: John Murray Press
  • ISBN: 9780340962725
  • Number of pages: 448
  • Dimensions: 198 x 128 x 32 mm
  • Weight: 306g
  • Languages: English

Customer Reviews

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Water for Elephants
Pleasant adventure
One of my favourite things about this book is the episodic narration, it allows for more character growth as the protagonist reflects on his life and what ... READ MORE
Amy Stocker
Water for Elephants
Enjoyable
This is an enjoyable story about what life is really like as part of a travelling circus. Underneath the glittering facade lies an altogether different lif... READ MORE
Beaut
Water for Elephants
excellent read
Possibly the best book I have read this year. An unusual and totally engaging subject choice that made me think about the elderly in society and how sad it... READ MORE
PH31
Water for Elephants
one of the greats!!
I could not put this book down. Beautiful story, great characters and wonderful twist. Definately comes highly recommeded.
emmamc
Water for Elephants
A fantastic tale
I have just read this as part of my book club reading choice. A fantastic story which is full of descriptions which make you feel you are there. Gives a fl... READ MORE
Juliet Fellows
Water for Elephants
Water for Elephants
An interesting love story set in an American circus in the Depression.Gritty, & bleak at times, the story flips between the present day & 70 years previous... READ MORE
Rachael Netherway
Water for Elephants
Great Reading.
I read this book whilst on holiday in corfu. I couldnt put it down.
Jparkinson0112
Water for Elephants
Fabulous tale
A heartbreaking,heartwarming rollercoaster of a book. Beautifully written, lots of fun and interesting information, a great read.
Penelope Jones
Water for Elephants
Fabulous tale.
Beautifully written, wonderfully evocative, rollercoaster of a story. Captures the imagination with vivid descriptions of circus life, love, betrayal, hard... READ MORE
Penelope Jones
Water for Elephants
Water for elephants- Tears for humans
This book is an adequate choice for a holiday reading. It involves a love story, heart-wrenching and a life lesson, heart-warming. Through simple words, ca... READ MORE
P.H. Maddie