My posts will include the banned book, wherewhy its been banned or challenged, my opinion, and a students opinion. Water for elephants is one of my most favorite books. Use these book club discussion questions on water for elephants to lead your book clubs conversation on the story. See more of official water for elephants movie on facebook. Water for elephants begins dark and violent as it braces readers for the tumultuous circus atmosphere during the terrible years of the great depression. I read water for elephants a few years ago and from time to time, i reread my favorite novels. Water for elephants by sara gruen, leaving time by jodi picoult, the one and only ivan by katherine applegate, the magicians. It tells a story of a love between two people that overcomes incredible odds in a world in which even love is a luxury that few can afford. I read water for elephants for our book club, and i expected it to be as slow, dull, and superficial as most of the other books we have read. The book begins with ninety year old jacob remembering a very intense and disturbing event from his time with the circus that will leave you wanting to find out. Buy water for elephants book online at low prices in india water. Water for elephants is a historical novel by sara gruen, written as part of national novel writing month. Water for elephants is told in the first person but from two different perspectivesjacob jankowski at 23 years of age and again, at 93 years old. Veterinary school student jacob meets and falls in love with marlena, a star.
In order for us to give you the best possible shopping experience, whsmith uses tracking cookies to personalise our site content and marketing. Sara gruen mines fertile territory in water for elephants. Marlena works with eleven horses on a routine shown under the big top. Water for elephants has two plots going on, both starring the same main character, jacob.
A novel by gruen, sara from amazons fiction books store. Sara gruen is a wonderful writer, and her words flow from page to page. The circus train only had a limited amount of water on board, and elephants can drink 100300 litres per day approximately 2680 gallons. Joshilyn jackson, author of gods in alabama so much more than a tale about a circus, water for elephants is a compelling journey not only. Reese witherspoon, christoph waltz, robert pattinson, and tai in water for elephants 2011 reese witherspoon, christoph waltz, robert pattinson, and tai in water for elephants 2011.
The only place the movie veers from the original is in its details of the older, current jacob. In the book, jacobs narration takes place in his own mind. The first edition of the novel was published in may 26th 2006, and was written by sara gruen. Sep 26, 2011 my posts will include the banned book, wherewhy its been banned or challenged, my opinion, and a students opinion. In one plot, jacob is a young guy just starting out in the world. Marlena is the main love interest in the book, water for elephants, and also a performer at the circus.
With a secret like that, at some point the secret itself becomes irrelevant. Marlena ran away from home to join the circus and married august, the head animal trainer. Im also hosting a banned books giveaway, so i hope youll check it out and enter to win a banned book of your choice. Based on the acclaimed bestseller, water for elephants presents an unexpected romance in a uniquely compelling setting. No reliance on cgi or profanity to make up for lack of imagination either. The book has been awarded with book sense book of the year award for adult fiction 2007, ala alex award 2007 and many others. Take our free water for elephants quiz below, with 25 multiple choice questions that help you test your knowledge. This book is every bit the fabulous escapist entertainment that the big top once was. Listen to water for elephants audiobook by sara gruen.
Only days before graduating from vet school in 1931, young jake learns his parents have died and left him penniless. If you like water for elephants you might like similar books the secret life of bees, the time travelers wife, the help, my sisters keeper, the lovely bones. Apr 22, 2011 8 big differences between water for elephants book and movie apr. Sara gruen has a voice to rival john irvings, and i am hopelessly, unabashedly in love with this book. Water for elephants is told in the first person but from two different perspectivesjacob jankowski. Aug 05, 2008 a meticulously researched, fastpaced, engaging and ultimately very satisfying novel set mostly ina depression era travelling circus. A water for elephants discussion from reading group guides writers digest interview with sara gruen. Winner of the 2007 bookbrowse award for most popular book.
A national bestseller in canada and a new york times bestseller in the united states, this is a book destined to become a beloved fiction classic. The movie water for elephants stays close to sara gruens beloved book particularly with the 1930s circus memories section. Mar 01, 2011 water for elephants is an enchanting pageturner, the kind of book that creates a world that engulfs you from the first page to the last. Mckees first book about elmer, that turned this adorable patchwork elephant. Water for elephants trailer 20th century fox youtube. Then gruen shifts readers attention away from the eerie circus to introduce the ninety or ninetythree year old protagonist, jacob jankowski. If you like water for elephants, you might like little heathens by mildred armstrong kalish seabiscuit by laura hillenbrand the adventures of miles and isabel by tom gilling. Jul 23, 2018 water for elephants by sara gruen is a must read a story about a 90yearold man remembering his days with a circus during the great depression.
Water for elephants is a book that can be read and reread, recommended and handed off between friends. In the beginning of the novel, jacob mocks another resident of the nursing home who claims to have worked in the circus and carried water for the elephants. May 26, 2006 i read water for elephants for our book club, and i expected it to be as slow, dull, and superficial as most of the other books we have read. Draw every little creature in the cutest style ever. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of water for elephants by sara gruen. An atmospheric, gritty, and compelling novel of starcrossed lovers, set in the circus world circa 1932, by the bestselling author of riding lessons.
How do the chapters about the older jacob enrich the story about jacobs adventure with the circus. Although it is only april, i predict that water for elephants by sara gruen will be one of the best books i read this year. Water for elephants by algonquin books and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Every few chapters, the narrative switches from one jacob to the other.
With its spotlight on elephants, gruens romantic pageturner hinges on the humananimal bonds that drove her debut and its sequel riding lessons and flying changesbut without the mass appeal. Please click accept to consent the use of cookies on whsmith. A circus elephant, a love story, and a prohibitionera thriller. Well, the phrase reinforces jacobs association with circuses. I cant think of another book which so brilliantly juxtaposes two periods in a life. Water for elephants movie tiein by sara gruen, paperback. Water for elephants is the new york times bestselling debut novel by sara gruen. With a showmans expert timing, gruen saves a terrific revelation for the final pages, transforming a glimpse of.
Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. I decided to not watch the movie when i heard it was coming out simply because i didnt want to possibly ruin the experience id had with the book if the movie wasnt uptopar. Water for elephants is a 2011 american romantic drama film directed by francis lawrence and written by richard lagravenese, based on sara gruens 2006 novel of the same name. The author, sara gruen allows readers to read the book from two perspectives, one from young jacob and the other from older presentday jacob. Water for elephants book discussion questions water for elephants moves between a story about a circus and a story about an old man in a nursing home. What other book might you compare water for elephants to, and why. Novelist sara gruen sweeps her readers off their feet in the opening pages of water for elephants and doesnt let go until she deposits them at the end of her fantastic tale of passion, madness and fancy. Daily telegraph trust us, water for elephants is going to be one of the surprise. Her plot points are not as predictable as they appear at first glance, and she is able to strike a nice balance alternating between young jacob and elderly jacob. Novelist sara gruen sweeps her readers off their feet in the opening pages of water for elephantsand doesnt let go until she deposits them at the end of her fantastic tale of passion, madness and fancy the last notes of water for elephants linger long after the book ends. Water for elephants by sara gruen free download epub.
She wrote the book as part of national novel writing month. Read water for elephants absolutely for free at readanybook. The circus, the great depression, a complex elephant, equally complex love, the mists and twists of memory articulated in the utterly winning voice of a very old man whos seen it all. Sara gruen has written an utterly transporting novel richly full of the stuff of life. I hate being so enamored with a book and then a crappy movie version comes along and tarnishes it. Water for elephants by sara gruen at the best online ebook storage. Novelist sara gruen sweeps her readers off their feet in the opening pages of water for elephantsand doesnt let go until she deposits them at the end of her fantastic tale of passion, madness and fancy. Download and read online for free water for elephants by sara gruen. Beautifully written, water for elephants is illuminated by a wonderful sense of time and place. Water for elephants a depressionera circus provides the backdrop for sara gruens latest novel, water for elephants. Water for elephants though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside jacob jankowskis ninetysomethingyearold mind. Memories of himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the benzini brothers most spectacular show on earth.
Free download water for elephants by sara gruen epub file on your apple android kindle device. Readers may find themselves churning through this book at a rapidfire pace, eager to see what lies ahead, then slowing down as they realize the pages are dwindling. Classroom ideas posted april 12, 2011 by sara novel novice 5 comments there is so much to love about sara gruens water for elephants, from the lush and magical setting of a 1930s circus, to the sweeping forbidden romance, to the heartbreaking recollections of narrator jacob jankowski. Water for elephants book club discussion questions and answers. The story is told as a series of memories by jacob jankowski, a 93yearold man who lives in a nursing home. Young jacob is able to do whatever his heart desires including, jumping on. Though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside jacob jankowskis ninetysomethingyearold mind. May 26, 2006 water for elephants, 2007, sara gruen water for elephants is a historical novel by sara gruen, written as part of national novel writing month. Water for elephants, published in 2006, is sara gruens third book and her most successful to date.
Whsmith week to view 202021 midyear elephants pink glitter a6 academic. Sara gruens water for elephants is one of those books, but richard lagraveneses screenplay does not suffer from the same overindulgence. Jan 18, 2011 based on the acclaimed bestseller, water for elephants presents an unexpected romance in a uniquely compelling setting. Jacob jankowski, a retired veterinarian living out his days in an assistedliving facility, drifts in and out of his memories. Joshilyn jackson, author of gods in alabama so much more than a tale about a circus, water for elephants is a compelling journey not only under the big top, but into the protagonists heart. It stars reese witherspoon, robert pattinson, and christoph waltz. Daily telegraph trust us, water for elephants is going to be one of the. The last notes of water for elephants linger long after the book ends. Water for elephants quotes by sara gruen goodreads. Determine which chapters, themes and styles you already know and what you need to study for your upcoming essay, midterm, or final exam. It was adult, and it was realistic, and i loved it. I thought both narrators were brilliant, the way the story switched between the young and old man were exceptionally good.
Summary an atmospheric, gritty, and compelling novel of starcrossed lovers, set in the circus world circa 1932, by the bestselling author of riding lessons when jacob jankowski, recently orphaned and suddenly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, grifters, and. Feb 02, 2012 the movie water for elephants stays close to sara gruens beloved book particularly with the 1930s circus memories section. Water for elephants takes us back in time, not just because it is set in the 30s but also because the movie is filmed with such quality and attention to detail, it is very much like movies used to be made. Water for elephants was a completely different read for me. Water for elephants book club discussion questions and. At its finest, water for elephants resembles stealth hits like the giants house, by elizabeth mccracken, or the lovely bones, by alice sebold, books that combine outrageously whimsical. A thousand splendid suns, memory keepers daughter, etc.
Gruen transports us into the world of a thirdrate traveling circus during the great depression. Free download or read online water for elephants pdf epub book. Water for elephants sara gruen, 2006 algonquin books of chapel hill 350 pp. Water for elephants resembles stealth hits like the giants house, by elizabeth mccracken, or the lovely bones, by alice sebold, books that combine outrageously whimsical premises with crowdpleasing romanticism. Cant say ive ever been curious enough about its workings to read a book revolving around one, but i am so glad i did because it was sooo much more than that. Water for elephants questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on water for elephants. Her works have been translated into fortythree languages and have sold more than ten million copies worldwide. While i enjoyed the movie with robert pattinson and reese witherspoon, the novel is far better. Sunday express you are so immersed in circus life that you are completely blinded by the thrilling, fatal dazzle of sequins and sawdust.
But also, by carrying the theme of deceit, the title forces us to question the truthfulness of jacobs story. Sara gruens arresting new novel, water for elephants, explores similar subject matter the pathetic grandeur of the depressionera circus. Sara gruen s water for elephants is one of those books, but richard lagravenese s screenplay does not suffer from the same overindulgence. Pdf water for elephants book by sara gruen free download. Times, publishers weekly, san francisco chronicle, and washington post lists a usa today and wall street journal best seller an american book association indiebound best seller. Everyday low prices on a huge range of new releases and classic fiction. On our first date, my husband took me to see tod brownings freaks, a 1932 horror film with a distinctly diane arbus feel. Water for elephants by sara gruen is a must read a story about a 90yearold man remembering his days with a circus during the great depression. Water for elephants summary water for elephants has two plots going on, both starring the same main character, jacob.