Water for Elephants: A Novel

Sara Gruen

May 2007 · Sold by Algonquin Books

About this ebook

Over 10 million copies sold worldwide! * Now A Broadway Musical Starring Grant Gustin and Isabella McCalla

#1 New York Times Bestseller * A Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, & USA Today Bestseller

"This colorful headlong tale of a Depression-era circus simply can't be beat." —Stephen King

A Major Motion Picture starring Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz

Jacob Janowski’s luck had run out--orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was the Great Depression and for Jacob the circus was both his salvation and a living hell. There he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but brutal animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this group of misfits was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.

Ratings and reviews

To glorify a circus in any way belongs to an age that should be behind us never to surface again. A reader exclaimed she can not wait to attend a circus. May GOD save the tortured animals made to perform in ways that are cruel and painful and unnatural for humanity lost it's soul and conscience long ago. As the Carpenter's sang "Bless the Beasts and Children for they have no voice; they have no choice."

I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT I ENDED UP ENJOYING THIS BOOK MORE THAN I EXPECTED. IT WAS A SURPRISINGLY RELAXING STORY THAT I COULD READ AT A NICE COMFORTABLE PACE. ON A SIDE NOTE: I RECEIVED MY COPY AFTER MY FRIEND'S ADULT READING CLASS WAS FINISHED WITH IT.. IT WAS SIMPLE TO COMPREHEND FOR ME AND I WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE THAT ENJOYS HEARING AN ELDERLY PERSON TELL THE STORIES OF THEIR PAST.. I WILL FOREVER ADORE MY GRANDMOTHER FOR SHARING HER MEMORIES WITH ME.. SOME OF MY BEST MEMORIES STARTED WITH THE WORDS "I REMEMBER THE GOOD OL' DAYS WHEN..."!

I absolutely adored this story!! I actually read this last year, one of the many I read. 2023 I read many more novels then I normally would, the list is long, and this is by far my #1 best read in my opinion. which is actually funny bc I am a fan of suspense and horror. especially Joe hill & Stephen King. This story was beautiful, I will definitely read this novel again someday in my life❤️❤️

About the author

Sara Gruen is the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of At the Water’s Edge,Water for Elephants, Ape House, Riding Lessons, and Flying Changes. Her works have been translated into forty-three languages and have sold more than ten million copies worldwide. Water for Elephants was adapted into a major motion picture starring Reese Witherspoon, Rob Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz in 2011. She lives in western North Carolina with her husband and three sons, along with their dogs, cats, horses, birds, and the world’s fussiest goat.