BOOK REVIEW: Water for Elephants

Huzzah! As the title stays, I finally have a review for you, seeing as I haven't done one since 9, The Island and and Julie and Julie. Bad! So, here I am with a beautiful, beautiful book to tell you about - Water for Elephants.

Sara Gruen is the author, and her first draft of the book was completed through NaNoWriMo, extra coolness! This historical novel is meticulously plotted and researched, with a wonderfully rich, old fashioned writing style, providing smooth sailing for the reader through its 300+ pages.

In the middle of The Depression, Ivy League student Jacob Jankowski's life is turned upside down when his parents are killed in an automobile accident. Unable to take over his father's veterinarian practice as he had always intended, Jacob starts running without knowing where he's going, and ends up on a train ... but it's not just any train. It's The Flying Squadron of the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth.

After reading this, I am absolutely in love with the circus. This novel captures you from page one and reaches all five sense; while you're reading it, you're in America in the 1930's, standing on the parched grass as striped canvas tents are hauled into the air, heavy with the smell of popcorn, cotton candy, grease, grain, hay and exotic animals. You'll see the vibrant flashing lights lining the midway, the sequined dresses of the performers; you'll taste the sweet victory of celebrating with alcohol smuggled all the way from Canada in the camels' compartment on the train; hear the deep voice of Uncle Al inviting the crowd to cheer for the elephant, and you'll feel the audience's thunderous response as the Rosie bows towards the stands.

It's a thrilling, romantic story and your heart is sure to be captured by Jacob and the majestic heroine, Rosie the Elephant.