really enjoyed the read, however, I can't put my finger on the reason why. ( )

A good story and quick read ( )

his one is a bit of a tear-jerker. It's sentimental and nostalgic. If you don't mind that in a book, the characters are rich and it gives a good look into the world of the circus in the early part of the 20th Century. A great book for historical fiction lovers who also love animals. ( )

I absolutely loved loved this book. The characters were easy to follow, to relate to . I felt like i was riding along, like i was a part of the circus!

Jacob Jankowski : " I am ninety. Or ninety-three. One or the other." Jacob is living in a senior citizen home, grumpy, depressed and starting to lose his memory . The author does a wonderful job of alternating between Jacobs story of his life in the circus and his current life.
The details of circus life, the struggles, the sadness and the happy times.

I'm not very good with reviews, heres the review from Barnes and Noble:
Synopsis

Nonagenarian Jacob Jankowski reflects back on his wild and wondrous days with a circus. It's the Depression Era and Jacob, finding himself parentless and penniless, joins the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. There he meets the freaks, grifters, and misfits that populate this world. He introduces us to Marlena, beautiful star of the equestrian act; to August, her charismatic but twisted husband (and the circus's animal trainer); and to Rosie, the seemingly untrainable elephant Jacob cares for. Beautifully written, with a luminous sense of time and place, Water for Elephants tells of love in a world in which love's a luxury few can afford.

I highly recommend reading this one. On a scale of 1-10 this definitely gets a 10!!

This book was fantastic. It is told from the point of view of an old man in a nursing home looking back on his life as part of a travelling circus. The chapters switch back and forth between the past and the present, and together, they present a moving, unforgettable story. The circus story is bizarre, but doesn't go too far and is still believable and extremely interesting. The story from the nursing home is moving and deals a lot with the emotional aspects of growing older and coming to terms with it. Overall, a great book, and I can not wait to read more from Gruen! ( )