Water For Elephants is Sara Gruen's third novel. I had never heard of her, either, but I'll be going back for her previous books, Riding Lessons and Flying Changes. I bought Water For Elephants largely because of its title (I have a "thing" for elephants) and setting, a traveling circus.
Jacob is at the centre of the story. He is, alternately, an elderly man in failing health in a seniors centre largely forgotten by his family - and a young man, newly orphaned when his parents are killed in a car crash and turfed from his home because of their debts, desperately searching for a way to look after himself and secure a future. It's the great depression and what Jacob happens upon is a struggling circus, run by a meglamaniac bent on making his big-top rival that of the industry leader: Ringling Brothers.
Jacob has fled after failing to write the final exam for his veterinary license but the circus takes him on as their vet. The animals are alternately neglected and fed whatever nearly rotted food is left over until Jacob takes over. But he doesn't always act when he should, especially when it comes to the circus' new star attraction, an elephant named Rosie. He is racked with guilt when the half-crazy ringmaster beats her for .... well I won't say what because it's a beautifully written part of the book and I wouldn't want to spoil it.
In fact, the whole thing is beautifully written. The perils the men face are many. Lots of them aren't getting paid as the circus suffers several disasters and they are at risk of being red-lighted - the term used for tossing a man out of a moving train, if your debt to him has become too deep and he's not worth it anymore. But still, they stay on , because fending for themselves on their own in the economic disaster is even less appealing.
The story of Jacob is compelling and difficult to put down. The characters are loveable, hateable and the animals are endearing. When Walter the dwarf loses his beloved dog, Queenie, my heart thumped double time. The tale goes to a place no one could predict It's wonderful. I loved it! It's the perfect length for a cross-country plane ride or a few nights of bedside reading. I can only hope to write half as well.