Discuss Water for Elephants
- Scott
- Site Admin
- Posts: 4068
- Joined: 31 Jul 2006, 23:00
- Currently Reading: The Unbound Soul
- Bookshelf Size: 340
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-scott.html
- Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
- Publishing Contest Votes: 960
Discuss Water for Elephants
What do you think of the book? Do you recommend it? Are there any passages you especially enjoy?
"Non ignara mali miseris succurrere disco." Virgil, The Aeneid
- cameron333
- Posts: 29
- Joined: 29 Sep 2009, 21:26
- Bookshelf Size: 0
All in all, it was a good book. No real complaints, and I love how it was written, wich surprised me because I have never read present tense books or many first person books and I thought that both put together wouldn't be to well, but it was great.
I do have one problem though, when Walter and Camel died, Jacob just didnt seem to care, all he did wa stare in the distance and then change the subject and that was the end of it. If Walter had somehow gotten hold of a doctor and him and Jacob met again at the end I think that would have been a nice touch, though maybe it would be too cheesy.
The theme, to me, seems to be: You get old fast and before you know it your ninety, or ninety three. Any other theme suggestions?
- Pinkpaper
- Posts: 70
- Joined: 27 Oct 2009, 10:45
- Bookshelf Size: 0
I actually really enjoyed it and loved all the stuff about circus life in general, the ending was a little too good to be true but I liked the charactors and all the people which came in and out of the book. I also liked how Jacobs and Marlenas life panned out after the events I thought this was realistic and quite sweet.
I know what you mean here but I think he had other things on his mind at this time (harsh I know)I do have one problem though, when Walter and Camel died, Jacob just didnt seem to care, all he did wa stare in the distance and then change the subject and that was the end of it. If Walter had somehow gotten hold of a doctor and him and Jacob met again at the end I think that would have been a nice touch, though maybe it would be too cheesy.
- cameron333
- Posts: 29
- Joined: 29 Sep 2009, 21:26
- Bookshelf Size: 0
Another thing I like from the book: I know alot about circuses now.
- LauraH
- Posts: 110
- Joined: 11 Sep 2009, 08:18
- Bookshelf Size: 0
I thought it was trying a little too hard to be cutting edge.
I dont understand why there were so many facts thrown in there.
And the most interesting characterw were Camel and Walter- yet we had to keep reading about stupid Marlena. (sorry but I thought she was a wench)
I also dont understand why there was a love triangle to begin with- bringing love at first sight right down to its core, I guess.
Maybe I'm too cynical, but I thought she was trying too hard to put in all the criteria for a good book- it seemed forced to me. And there were too many extraneous characters that it was getting difficult to keep them all straight.
I like the present tense Jacob's story better than the spindly little 20-something Jacob.
-
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 02 Dec 2009, 20:11
- Bookshelf Size: 0
-
- Posts: 125
- Joined: 30 Oct 2009, 21:49
- Bookshelf Size: 0
It reminded a bit of "Little Big Man" by Thomas Berger, with the crusty and somehow likeable old geezer reminiscing about his past exploits. Unfortunately this didn't even approach being as good as that book.
I agree with LauraH that Walter and Camel were some of the more interesting characters, maybe the author should have written a book from Walter's perspective.
If Jacob took all of those animals with him when he left the circus it would have been interesting for him to take either Walter or Camel with him, as well (had they lived, of course).
Marlena left me cold, I didn't care for the love story.
Jacob tripping across the train with a severe concussion seemed a little unrealistic to me and a lot of the story seemed too contrived trying to make the timing right for things to happen, which made the story a bit unbelievable. I realize all stories do this, but this one was a mite obvious: Of course when he ran off he would fall into the circus, of course he would fall in love, of course her husband would be nuts, of course she would get pregnant, etc. But the circus part was good.
I kind of liked the schmaltzy ending since it was a rather sentimental story anyway, it fit in with the rest of the plot, but I could see it coming. No real surprises in this book, except that I didn't think they would redlight both Camel and Walter.
- Gannon
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 14464
- Joined: 17 May 2009, 01:48
- Favorite Book: Pillars of the Earth
- Currently Reading: Heaven's Net is Wide.
- Bookshelf Size: 52
Overall I loved this book, thought it was great and am waiting for her next novel.
- Author Eyes
- Posts: 20
- Joined: 28 Dec 2009, 19:24
- Bookshelf Size: 0
-
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 02 Jul 2010, 13:27
- Bookshelf Size: 0