Book Review: ‘Water for Elephants’

Reviewed by Taylor Petit

Canadian author Sara Gruen wrote the historic and romantic novel “Water for Elephants” in which Jacob Jankowski tells his story, alternating from a nursing home in the present to a traveling circus during the time of the Great Depression.

Jacob Jankowski is on the road to graduate from Cornell University with a degree in Veterinary Medicine when his parents are involved in a fatal car accident.  Taking the news hard, he walks out of his final exams never receiving a degree.  Depressed, he spontaneously jumps onto a train car and finds himself stationed on Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth, a traveling circus.  With his veterinary training, he is hired as the only veterinarian on the show.  Now a 90-year-old man sentenced to a nursing home by his family, Jacob shares his misery of being in the nursing home and tells stories from his time on the circus, including a cast of unlikely friends and forbidden love.

I loved reading “Water for Elephants.”  It combines history, love, hate, misery, humor and suspense.  I would highly recommend this book for all mature readers because adult topics are often discussed with great details.

Taylor Petit recently completed her junior year in the academically gifted program at Hahnville High School. She enjoys dancing, reading, hanging out with friends and listening to music.  She is a member of the HHS symphonic band, Hi-Steppers and Student Council.

Editor’s note: Book reviews are published weekly in agreement with Hahnville High School gifted English teacher Deborah Unger in conjunction with the Brown Foundation Service Learning Program.

 

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