47 pages • 1 hour read
Sara GruenA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
In Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, Jacob Jankowski, an elderly man in a nursing home, reminisces about his youth when he joined the Benzini Brothers' circus during the Great Depression. As the circus veterinarian, he navigates complex relationships, develops a bond with an elephant named Rosie, and falls in love with Marlena, a performer trapped in an abusive marriage. The narrative explores circus life, love, and survival. This novel depicts sexual acts, violence, and characters with physical or mental health conditions.
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen is celebrated for its vivid historical setting and well-researched depiction of Depression-era circus life. Readers appreciate the engrossing plot and the depth of its characters. Some critique the pacing and predictability of the story. Despite minor flaws, it's a compelling and emotionally resonant novel.
A reader who would enjoy Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen is typically drawn to historical fiction with a strong emotional core. Fans of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern or The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, who appreciate richly detailed settings, complex characters, and gripping plots, will likely relish this novel.
Lexile Level
730LHistorical Fiction
Romance
Modern Classic Fiction
Great Depression
Emotions/Behavior: Memory
Emotions/Behavior: Love
Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance
Mental Illness
Trauma / Abuse / Violence
History: World