Water for Elephants: A Novel by Sara Gruen

SUMMARY

• A young man finds himself living and working in a traveling circus during the Great Depression, where he develops a forbidden love and uncovers the dark secrets and brutality behind the glitz and glamour.

BOOK GENRE

• Fiction, historical fiction, romance

MAIN TOPIC

• The struggles and adventures of a young man in the circus, set against the backdrop of the Great Depression

KEY IDEAS

• The corrupt and unpredictable nature of circus life during the Great Depression
• The power of love and loyalty, even in the most challenging of circumstances
• The exploitation and abuse of animals in entertainment
• The impact of trauma and tragedy on individuals and families

MAIN PARTS AND SUMMARY

• Part One: Prologue and Flashback – The story begins with a ninety-three-year-old man, Jacob Jankowski, who is reminiscing about his time in the circus during the Great Depression. The narrative then shifts to the past, where we meet the young Jacob, a veterinary student at Cornell University. After a tragic accident takes away his parents and his future, Jacob ends up jumping on a train that belongs to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth.
• Part Two: The Circus – Jacob quickly learns the ropes of circus life, becoming both a vet and a stretcher-bearer, while also developing a forbidden love for the beautiful and talented Marlena, who is married to the cruel and unstable animal trainer, August. As the circus struggles to survive, the tension between Jacob and August escalates and secrets are revealed.
• Part Three: The Speck of Light – As the Great Depression worsens, the circus is constantly on the brink of failure. Jacob and the performers take on risky and dangerous stunts to attract audiences, but the cost is high. Jacob’s love for Marlena deepens, and he discovers the shocking truth about her marriage to August.
• Part Four: The Bad Guy – The climax of the story occurs as Jacob and Marlena’s relationship is threatened by August’s violent and unpredictable nature. Secrets are exposed, and Jacob must make a difficult decision.
• Part Five: Silver Waters, Blue Sands – The story comes full circle as an elderly Jacob looks back on his time in the circus and reflects on the impact it had on his life. He finally finds closure and redemption.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The sacrifices and struggles of those traveling with the circus during the Great Depression.
• The complexity of love and loyalty, especially in the face of adversity.
• The harsh reality of animal exploitation and abuse in entertainment.
• The long-term effects of trauma and tragedy.

AUTHOR BACKGROUND AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Sara Gruen is an award-winning author known for her works of historical fiction, including “Water for Elephants.”
• Gruen has a degree in English from the University of Ottawa and has worked as a technical writer, a researcher, and a translator.
• She became interested in the circus after reading a newspaper article about a traveling circus that had a train accident.

TARGET AUDIENCE

• Adult readers interested in the historical setting, love stories, and the behind-the-scenes of circus life.

PUBLISHER AND FIRST PUBLICATION DATE

• Algonquin Books; May 26, 2006

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