Sspsa Blog

Wow. I hope that’s not all I can say about this book, but that’s where I’ll start. Wow.

Every time I hesitate to think I’ll find a book that is captivating, entertaining, and that will keep my interest and keep me thinking about its characters long after the book is over, I somehow seem to find myself happily surprised. Water for Elephants was one of those books. It was really that good.

I heard good things about it, always saw it on the shelves at bookstores, but it wasn’t until recently that I decided to give it a chance. Why? A book about a circus in the depression/prohibition era is probably as far away from my “normal” reading zone as I can get. But I’m telling you – it doesn’t matter! Not one bit.

Entertaining and engrossing from the very first chapter, I was taken away on this journey with the characters. Nothing short of fascinating, in ways I wouldn’t have thought possible. Part love story, part coming of age, this is at its roots, a story about life and the unexpected paths it may take. I really came to love the character of Jacob, and sympathize with his situation and his love for animals. It’s been over a week since I’ve finished the novel, and I still think about the characters every day. I really got caught up in their world which is something, I must say, is sometimes way too rare in the books I read. Many are good stories, but with Water for Elephants, I really felt like I was traveling along with them in their adventures. A pleasant surprise.

Overall, I have already recommended to more than a few friends, and would encouragingly recommend it here. It may just be one of those precious few books that when you finish it, you stop and, at a loss for words, say – wow.

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