Gruen, Sara: *1969

Water for Elephants, 2006 - Information About the Book

General Information | Facts | Author | Commentary | Articles | Podcasts

General Information
- Good for Discussing:
  Love
  Loyalty
  Moral Choices under Extreme Circumstances
- Jacob Jankowski, a veterinary student, is close to graduating when a terrible tragedy forces him to leave school. With nowhere else to go, he hops on a passing train and finds it belongs to a traveling circus. Jacob takes a job as an animal caretaker and meets Marlena, a beautiful circus performer. Their shared compassion for a special elephant named Rosie leads to love, but August, Marlena's cruel husband, stands in their way.
  The story takes place during the depression of the 1930s. Since jobs were almost impossible to find, those who were employed kept their jobs under what conditions ever.
  See Summary.
- Information from Wikipedia
- Information from Encyclopedia
- Sara Gruen’s inspiration for writing “Water for Elephants.”
  
  The catalyst for "Water for Elephants" was a vintage photograph by Edward J. Kelty, a photographer known for capturing life in traveling circuses during the 1920s and 1930s. Gruen discovered the photograph in a newspaper and was struck by its detail and storytelling potential. This inspired her to explore the world of Depression-era circuses as the setting for her novel. She delved into extensive research about circus life, interviewing performers, gathering anecdotes, and learning about elephants to authentically depict the era. Many events in the novel were based on real stories she uncovered during this process.
Facts
- Awards: While "Water for Elephants" did not win any major literary awards, it was a commercial success and received recognition for its popularity with readers and booksellers.
- Topics
  
  Love and Romance
  The central love story between Jacob and Marlena, set against the backdrop of the circus world. Their forbidden affair and the obstacles they face from Marlena's abusive husband August.
  
  Animal Cruelty
  The mistreatment of animals, especially the elephant Rosie, by the cruel animal trainer August is a major theme. Jacob's compassion for Rosie is contrasted with August's cruelty.
  
  The Great Depression
  The novel is set during the Great Depression era of the 1930s, exploring the hardships and struggles of that time period through Jacob's experiences joining and working for the circus.
  
  Coming of Age
  Jacob's journey from a young Cornell student to finding his purpose with the circus represents a profound coming-of-age experience for him.
- General Perception
  
  Critics have praised the novel for its rich historical detail, compelling characters, and evocative depiction of circus life. The narrative's structure, which alternates between the protagonist's present and past, has been highlighted as a strength, adding depth to the storytelling. Reviewers often commend Gruen's ability to create vivid, multi-dimensional characters.
  The book has been a bestseller with a wide readership, with many readers expressing admiration for its engrossing plot and emotional resonance. "Water for Elephants" has been a popular choice for book clubs, often leading to lively discussions about its themes, characters, and historical context.
  
  The setting during the Great Depression and the portrayal of circus life provide a rich backdrop that adds to the novel's intrigue and authenticity.
  
  Overall, "Water for Elephants" is perceived as a compelling and emotionally rich novel that has captured the imaginations of both critics and readers, solidifying its place as a modern classic.
- Reader Rating:
Author
- Interview with Jordan E. Rosenfeld. About Gruen's writing in general: "Despite the demands of her writing career and family life, Gruen is generous with her time, and cheerful to the point where you might call her an optimist." April 22, 2008
- Inspiration to write the novel
- What Is The Theme of "Water For Elephants?" Sara Gruen at the Seattle Central Library
- What Was Sara Gruen's Inspiration To Write "Water For Elephants"?
Commentary
- Sara Gruen’s "Water for Elephants" is a compelling historical romance set during the Great Depression, weaving themes of love, suffering, and resilience into the backdrop of a struggling circus. The story is narrated by Jacob Jankowski, a 93-year-old man reflecting on his youth when he impulsively joined the Benzini Brothers Circus after a personal tragedy. The novel explores Jacob’s journey as he navigates the harsh realities of circus life, including exploitation, poverty, and cruelty, particularly towards animals like Rosie, an elephant subjected to abuse but later revealed to be intelligent and capable of understanding Polish commands.
  The narrative delves into power dynamics, with Jacob clashing against the abusive animal trainer August, while forming bonds with Marlena, a performer, and Rosie. Themes of love—both human and animal—are central, highlighting courage amidst adversity. Gruen also examines old age through Jacob’s frustration with his current confinement in a nursing home. The novel’s rich depiction of circus life and its emotional depth make it an enduring tale of survival and compassion.
Articles: General Information | Detailed/Scholarly Information
- General Information:
- Audio (3:32)
  Review by Veronique de Turenne. "The audio gives a clear summary of the book’s plot and characters but provides relatively limited interpretive analysis." NPR Radio; July 5, 2006
- Review: "The review gives a clear summary and evaluative take on Water for Elephants, noting its gripping circus setting, strong characters, and balance of charm with darker themes, but it doesn’t delve deeply into broader context or critical analysis." The Guardian; July 4, 2011
- Trunk Show: "The review offers a solid overview of Water for Elephants that highlights Gruen’s vivid Depression‑era circus setting, research, and storytelling pacing." The New York Times; June 4, 2006
- Reading: "Water for Elephants" : "The article gives a clear basic summary of Water for Elephants and touches on themes like character relationships and circus life, but it doesn’t go very deep into analysis or interpretation." The Review; April 18, 2014
- "Water for Elephants" and the Spectacle of Good and Evil: "The article offers a thoughtful thematic reading focusing on empathy, cruelty, and human‑animal/lived experience rather than a full literary analysis." Psychology Today; August 14, 2020
- Big Time for a Novel Set Under the Big Top: "The article gives a moderately informative critical summary of Water for Elephants, highlighting Gruen’s evocative depiction of 1930s circus life, her extensive research and vivid period detail." New York Times; July 11, 2007
- Detailed/Scholarly Information:
- Spectacle of Good and Evil: "The article offers a thoughtful, psychology‑focused analysis that goes beyond plot summary to explore themes of empathy, cruelty, and objectification in both human and animal relationships, connecting the novel to broader psychological theory and societal issues." Psychology Today; August 14, 2020
Podcasts:
- An atmospheric, gritty, and compelling novel of star-crossed lovers, set in the circus world circa 1932. 2013
  "The podcast episode gives a moderately informative analysis: it discusses Water for Elephants’ themes, characters, and historical setting."
- In-depth book discussion. 2023
  "The podcast gives a solid topical overview of Water for Elephants (plot, characters, themes) but doesn’t offer deeply analytical, scholarly insight."
- A shorter discussion of the novel. 2021
  "The episode gives listeners a broad, engaging summary of the book’s plot and major themes but isn’t deeply analytical or scholarly."