Gruen, Sara: *1969
Water for Elephants, 2006 - Information about the Book
- General Information | Facts | Author | Articles | Podcasts
- General Information
- 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. - Information from Wikipedia
- Information from Encyclopedia
- 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.
- Jacob Jankowski
The protagonist and narrator, a 93-year-old man reminiscing about his time working as a veterinarian for a circus during the Great Depression when he was 23 years old. He is an ivy-league dropout who joins the circus after a family tragedy.Marlena
A beautiful equestrian performer who works closely with the animals, especially the elephant Rosie. She is married to the abusive ringmaster August, but falls in love with Jacob.August
The cruel and paranoid ringmaster who is Marlena's husband. He is extremely possessive of Marlena and violently mistreats the circus animals, especially Rosie the elephant.Rosie
An elephant that Jacob and Marlena develop a close bond with and train using humane methods, in contrast to August's abuse.Walter/Kinko
A little person who performs as the clown "Kinko" but is kind-hearted and befriends Jacob, whose real name is Walter.Uncle Al
The unethical but charismatic owner of the Benzini Brothers circus who employs shady business practices.Camel
An elderly circus worker who looks out for Jacob when he first joins, but later becomes disabled after drinking a toxic substance.Developed by AI
- Character List
- Pronunciation of Jacob Jankowski
- 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.Developed by AI
- 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.
Developed by AI- 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"?
- Articles
- Podcast
In-depth book discussion. 2023 - Podcast
A shorter discussion of the novel. 2021 - Trunk Show: "Gruen's prose is merely serviceable, and she hurtles through cataclysmic events, overstuffing her whiplash narrative with drama." The New York Times; June 4, 2006
- Reading: "Water for Elephants" : "The novel starts off with a bang and effortlessly flows from chapter to chapter, even those that transition from the 1930s to when Jacob is recalling his experiences as a 93-year-old in a nursing home." The Review; April 18, 2014
- "Water for Elephants" and the Spectacle of Good and Evil: "The most telling and terrible similarity between human and non-human animals is that some of the members of the circus are treated like humans and others (mis)treated like animals." Psychology Today; August 14, 2020
- Audio (3:32)
Review by Veronique de Turenne. "Sarah Gruen sets her story among the freaks and geeks and captive animals of a traveling circus during the Great Depression. It's a good move." NPR Radio; July 5, 2006 - Big Time for a Novel Set Under the Big Top: "Ms. Gruen, a mother of three, said that as a result of the earnings from “Water for Elephants” and the new advance, she and her husband were buying a home where they can house two horses, along with a menagerie of four cats, two dogs and three goats." New York Times; July 11, 2007
- "Water for Elephants" and the Spectacle of Good and Evil: "It is not accidental that Gruen sets the episodes in the past during the Great Depression. The crash of 1929 demonstrated a failure of empathy at the sociopolitical level." Pychology Today; August 14, 2020
- Podcast
An atmospheric, gritty, and compelling novel of star-crossed lovers, set in the circus world circa 1932. 2013
- Reader Rating: