Gruen, Sara: *1969
Water for Elephants, 2006 - Information about the Book
- General Information | Facts | Author | Commentary | Reviews | Explanations
- 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
- 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.Developed by AI
- 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.
- 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.
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- 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.
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- Reviews
- 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 - Review: "What keeps the story grounded is that even though it has its fairy tale moments, there is a constant threat and suspense." The Guardian; July 4, 2011
- Explanations
- 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
- 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
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