This is an atmospheric, gritty and compelling novel involving star-crossed lovers set in the circus world in 1932.
When Jacob Jankowski, who has recently been orphaned and is suddenly adrift, jumped onto a passing train little did he know that he had entered the world of freaks, drifters and misfits. The circus that he has stumbled into is a second-rate circus which is struggling to survive during the Great Depression, who is reduced to making one night stands in town after endless town. Jacob was a veterinary student who had almost earned his degree, being put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It is while doing this job he meets Marlena, the young and beautiful star of the equestrian act, who is married to August the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. He also has the fortune to meet Rosie, an elephant who seems to be un trainable until he finds a way to reach her and change the animal make-up.
This beautifully written, the novel is illuminated in the interesting way in which this has been written making use of the wonderful sense of time and place. It is the story of a love which sparks between two people who overcome the incredible odds which is hard to find in a world were love is a luxury that few can afford.
This novel is told by the same person at two different times in his life, at the age of 23 and at the age of 93. This is something that when done well is something that i love and Sara Gruen has managed this effortlessly. This story was at most points very homely however this was interjected with explicit content which should have a trigger warning as this may be things which the reader may find hard to digest. If you are affected by abuse, against both humans and animals then maybe this is not the book for you. I however was able to over look these distressing scenes as I was enjoying the rest of the novel and the method of story telling. I love the way that the author has effortlessly flipped between the two timelines and how these were blurred together so that the reader can truly feel as if the 93 year old is telling his story and not just having someone tell you his life story on his behalf. This novel buys into the environment of the circus and she uses small little tricks to seamlessly change the direction of the narrative to hold the readers attention.
To get your copy, click the following link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Water-Elephants
