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Tuhan Best - Water for Elephants (Thorndike Paperback Bestsellers)
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List Price: $13.95
Our Price: $11.16
Your Save: $ 2.79 ( 20% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Large Print Distribution
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9781594132001
Format: Large Print
ISBN: 1594132003
Label: Large Print Distribution
Manufacturer: Large Print Distribution
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 561
Publication Date: 2007-05-09
Publisher: Large Print Distribution
Studio: Large Print Distribution
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Editorial Reviews:
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Though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside Jacob Jankowski's ninety-something-year-old mind. Memories of himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Memories of a world filled with freaks and clowns, with wonder and pain and anger and passion; a world with its own narrow, irrational rules, its own way of life, and its own way of death. The world of the circus: to Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell.
Jacob was there because his luck had run out窶俳rphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on this locomotive "ship of fools." It was the early part of the Great Depression, and everyone in this third-rate circus was lucky to have any job at all. Marlena, the star of the equestrian act, was there because she fell in love with the wrong man, a handsome circus boss with a wide mean streak. And Rosie the elephant was there because she was the great gray hope, the new act that was going to be the salvation of the circus; the only problem was, Rosie didn't have an act窶琶n fact, she couldn't even follow instructions. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.
Surprising, poignant, and funny, Water for Elephants is that rare novel with a story so engrossing, one is reluctant to put it down; with characters so engaging, they continue to live long after the last page has been turned; with a world built of wonder, a world so real, one starts to breathe its air.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Fascinating and Insightful
Comment: I have been fascinated by them since I was young and watch some things on tv when they come up, so the subject of the book appealed to me and I am very happy I picked this up.
With the use of flashbacks you are bought into the 1930s and the harsh existence for both people and animals that are part of the circus. Jacob and his background creates a special bond with the animals and his kindness is heartwarming. Fromt he first page you are bought into the story - seeing life and some of the things we hope for in our lives and things we want to avoid and not become.
Fascinating look at the circus, the time period and most importantly, people.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Exactly why I don't read fiction
Comment: Was talked into reading this as a change from non-fiction. I read all the reviews about not being able to put the book down. I had to force myself to finish it. Ridiculous, cliched, almost campy dialogue. What exactly, is supposed to grab you & make you continue? Boy, I wanted to like this. Sorry.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great!
Comment: I never would have read a book about the circus but this was recommended by a friend and I loved it. Don't let the subject matter distract you from a great novel!
Customer Rating:
Summary: "Like Water" is a must read!
Comment: Like Water for Elephants is a terrific work of art. I thought the characters and plot were well thought out and tied together nicely. I plan to put this one on my book club list, I can't wait to share it with my friends! You should do the same!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Water for Elephants a hit
Comment: When this book was recommended to me, I wasn't sure I wanted to read it, but I am glad I did. It begins in a depressing nursing home - which we visit a few times throughout the book - but it is really about Jacob Jankowski's first year with the circus.
At 90 - or is it 93, he isn't sure anymore - Jacob recalls his life in the circus at age 23 when he learns of his parents' death. The reader gets to go along for the ride: from his first leap onto a circus railroad car, to his falling in love with a woman and an elephant. His tale enthralled me.
Often depressing, life in the circus of 1931 is not an easy one, but it is fascinating. We wonder if Rose the elephant will survive abuse. We wonder if Jacob will end up with his love. We also wonder if Jacob will die in that horrible nursing home.
Read it and find out. Even though I had to eat, sleep, and otherwise exist, I didn't put this book down once I began it.
Janet Morgan Poetic Justice: A Killdeer Farm Mystery
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