In addition to the family Hemingway discussion I plan on participating in the camp’s book group. Last year we read The Memory of Running and the year before that it was The Kite Runner. This year it’s Water for Elephants.
For some reason I had very low expectations for this book. A brief glance at Sara Gruen’s first novel, Riding Lessons, had given me the impression that she was a writer of trashy chick lit. Either that glance was too brief (very likely; I think I had Daniel with me at the time) or she’s improved her style considerably. Because Water for Elephants was a good read.
It does require a strong stomach, however, and the subject matter might not be for everyone. It’s about a tawdry Prohibition-era travelling circus. The cirus, unfortunately, includes a lot of animals and they are not always well-treated. That’s the strong stomach part — especially when you get to the acknowledgements and learn that many of the incidents really happened. Actually, that’s what I liked best about the book: it was very evident that the author did tons of historical research. There was a lot of period detail that — although sometimes gruesome — was quite fascinating.
The other thing I liked a lot about the book is the narrator. Like Owen Meany and Fifth Business <grin> it alternates between flashback and the present day. Only this present day narrator is a 90- or 93-year-old nursing home resident (I immediately thought of Little Big Man — now that’s a book I should have listed on the “favorites you rarely see on other people’s lists” list). Now, I’ve never been 90 or 93, so I can’t say for sure, but it seems to me she did a very good job of imagining what it would be like. I found him very convincing, as well as likeable.
[Aside: if you'll allow me one more dig at Owen Meany, one thing Water for Elephants and Fifth Business both do very well is provide a reason for the present-day narrator to unburden himself of his story. In Fifth Business, the impetus is Ramsay's retirement; in Water for Elephants, it's the circus coming to town. But unless I missed it, there didn't seem to be anything similar in Owen Meany.]
Anyway, despite a couple of unrealistic plot twists Water for Elephants was a page-turner and quite engaging. It’s not particularly deep or symbolic (that I can tell) and I’m not sure what there is to “discuss” about it, but I found it very entertaining. Definitely a good one for the beach.
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Oh dear. My book club is reading this for August.
We’ll have to compare notes afterwards! :)
I don’t think I know you, adrienne, but my book club is reading this for August, too. I already finished it, because it came up on my request list early and was due back last week.
I loved the history - thought Gruen did a great job incorporating it into the story - but the story itself just got stale halfway through the book. I had to make myself finish it, partially because I picked up another book that was soooo very good I couldn’t put it down (George & Sam, by Charlotte Moore, if you’re interested).
I liked the b&w photos a lot. It’s not too often you see illustrations in fiction anymore, and I thought they added a nice bit to the book.
Oh yes, I forgot to mention the pictures. I pored over each one — they were a big highlight of the book, definitely. Funny that the plot didn’t grab you, Sandy. I was swept into it immediately.
I started listening to this one on CD while my husband had it, and I never got into it either . . . although I still remember it pretty vividly, so maybe I should have given it another chance. I do remember liking the portrayal of being old. Part of the put-off, though, was the voice of the reader.
I cannot tell you how many times I’ve walked past this book, picked it up, considered buying it, and then set it back down again in lieu of something else. Maybe seeing your post is a sign I should finally read it…great blog!
Oh, I LIKE the new look. And I LOVE Little Big Man! Have a great trip!