Water for Elephants

This is a very good book. It may be slightly over hyped, but it certainly deserves of most of the praise it's receiving. Water for Elephants is a moving tale about circus life during the depression era with quirky characters and complex emotions underlying the character's actions. It's uniquely told from the perspective of one character at two different stages of his life; Jacob at 20 and again when he was 93 and living in a nursing home.

The story moves seamlessly between these two timelines and although I was more intrigued by the introspective old Jacob, the complexity and volatility of young Jacob also captured my attention, just on a different more concrete level. The book touches on what's important at different phases of life.

The story is sweet, tragic and entertaining and the emotions that surface range from sad and lonely to happy and in love. In short, the story is haunting and brings to light the strong bond that develops between man and animal and shows the true meaning of friendship. An excellent selection for those who enjoy a good character driven story.

As a young man, Jacob Jankowski was tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. It was the early part of the great Depression, and for Jacob, now ninety, the circus world he remembers was both his salvation and a living hell. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie.

It was there that he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great gray hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and, ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.

1. To what extent do the chapters concerning the elderly Jacob enhance the chapters recounting the young Jacob's experiences with the Benzini Brothers circus?

2. How does the novel's epigraph, the quote from Dr. Seuss's Horton Hatches the Egg, apply to the novel?

3. Who did you, upon reading the prologue, think murdered August?

4. Is August best described as charming and gracious-or something darker?

5. What is it about Marlena's sixth sense with horses that attracts Jacob and August differently?

6. How does the novel balance reality and illusion in the world of the circus?

7. What can we learn from Jacob's reflections about aging and personal identity?

8. How do Uncle Al's business practices reflect the ethics of the Depression era-or today?

9. Why do distressing memories persist, as Jacob claims?

10. What role does Rosie the elephant play in the story-and in Jacob's transformation?

11. What is the "terrible thing" Jacob recognizes in August after seeing his treatment of Rosie?

12. How did you react to the redlighting of Walter, Camel, and others?

13. How did the ending meet or defy your expectations about Jacob's future?

14. What biblical parallels do you see in Jacob's journey?

15. What does the novel say about faithfulness, loyalty, and starting over?