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Welcome! This website is dedicated to everything that's Water for Elephants, The New York Times best selling book written by Sara Gruen! Through this website you will learn everything about the book, from its summary to its well deserved film adaptation! Thanks for visiting!
Water for Elephants Summary
Water for Elephants is a unique novel, author Sara Gruen incorporates two perspectives both starring the main character, Jacob Jankowski. In the present-day perspective Jacob is ninety-three years old and lives in a nursing home. He is bold, passionate and thrives for adventure, the only problem is that his body can no longer keep up with love for adventure and spends his days reflecting on his younger years. In the secondary perspective Jacob is in his early 20's and proves to be intelligent, ambitious and extremely adventurous. His active qualities unexpectedly land him on the world most successful traveling circus and a life long journey he'll never forget. The novel switches between the two perspectives to give the effect of present-day Jacob retelling his journey with the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth!
For years Jacob has been studying at Cornell University in hopes of becoming a veterinarian. After many years of hard work and studying, Jacob comes face to face with his final exam... that is until he is interrupted by police and given the traumatizing news of his parents sudden death. Feeling shocked, overwhelmed and lost Jacob is unable to finish his final exam and wanders far away from civilization. After hours of aimlessly walking, far off into the distance Jacob hears the sound of a train heading his way. As the train races beside Jacob he makes the spontaneous decision to jump aboard the unknown train. Jacob does not know that he is in for a new and wild life with the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth, the most successful traveling circus in the country.
During Jacob's first day on the train he meets Camel. Camel is an older gentleman who has many years experience with the circus and instantly befriends Jacob. Jacob is immediately put to work and becomes the circus' animal doctor. While examining the animals Jacob meets Marlena, the circus' marvelous show girl who also shares a love for animals. As the two get to know each other Jacob discovers that Marlena is married to the head animal trainer, August. August appears to be a charming and a kind gentleman but has a reputation of being unforgiving and violent. There is immediate friction between Jacob and August.
While traveling with the circus the ring leader, Uncle Al, decides to invest all of the circus' money on an elephant named Rosie in hopes of pulling in bigger crowds. Unfortunately, August and Rosie do not get along. August is unable to train her and believes that she is stupid and a waste of money. Out of frustration August physically abuses Rosie on a daily bases. Jacob believes that Rosie is not a waste of money and brings it upon himself to train her. Rosie listens to Jacob and the two form an inseparable bond. Rosie begins to preform with Marlena and puts on the most successful shows the circus has ever had. Jacob and Marlena's relationships begins to grow, the two see and talk to each other more frequently which causes August to grow angry.
Out of anger, August begins to abuse Marlena and get involved in a fight with Jacob leaving all three hurt. Not only does Jacob now have a target on his back but his good friend Camel develops "Jake leg" a disease where one's body slowly becomes paralyzed leaving them unable to work. This is caused by drinking ginger extract. Camel is on the verge of getting red lighted because of his inability to work. Jacob feels that his life with the circus is becoming too much but steps up to the plate to try and work out his eventful life.
SPOLIER! If you plan on reading the book do not read below!
Jacob believes that August is the root of all his problems and plans to kill him while he sleeps. That night, Jacob realizes he is not cold-hearted enough to commit murder and chickens out. When Jacob returns to his room he discovers that Camel and Walter are missing... not only are they missing but Jacob is given the news that they have been red lighted along with several other men.
The next few days bring chaos on the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. While preforming, a stampede takes place causing panic. While protecting Marlena, Jacob watches as Rosie lifts a steak from the ground and pierces it through the back of August's head, ultimately causing his death. The circus has no choice but to shut down forever.
Without August, Jacob and Marlena begin a new chapter in their lives together. The two are accompanied by Rosie, Bobo and their unborn child.
The novel comes to an end by present-day Jacob reflecting on his wonderful life with Marlena and five children. It is also the day Jacob has been waiting for, he's going to see the circus with his family! Unfortunately, Jacob's family fails to show up. Taking matters into his own hands Jacob sneaks out of the nursing home to catch what he can of the show. When Jacob finally reaches his destination, he is ecstatic. To Jacob, the circus is home.
For years Jacob has been studying at Cornell University in hopes of becoming a veterinarian. After many years of hard work and studying, Jacob comes face to face with his final exam... that is until he is interrupted by police and given the traumatizing news of his parents sudden death. Feeling shocked, overwhelmed and lost Jacob is unable to finish his final exam and wanders far away from civilization. After hours of aimlessly walking, far off into the distance Jacob hears the sound of a train heading his way. As the train races beside Jacob he makes the spontaneous decision to jump aboard the unknown train. Jacob does not know that he is in for a new and wild life with the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth, the most successful traveling circus in the country.
During Jacob's first day on the train he meets Camel. Camel is an older gentleman who has many years experience with the circus and instantly befriends Jacob. Jacob is immediately put to work and becomes the circus' animal doctor. While examining the animals Jacob meets Marlena, the circus' marvelous show girl who also shares a love for animals. As the two get to know each other Jacob discovers that Marlena is married to the head animal trainer, August. August appears to be a charming and a kind gentleman but has a reputation of being unforgiving and violent. There is immediate friction between Jacob and August.
While traveling with the circus the ring leader, Uncle Al, decides to invest all of the circus' money on an elephant named Rosie in hopes of pulling in bigger crowds. Unfortunately, August and Rosie do not get along. August is unable to train her and believes that she is stupid and a waste of money. Out of frustration August physically abuses Rosie on a daily bases. Jacob believes that Rosie is not a waste of money and brings it upon himself to train her. Rosie listens to Jacob and the two form an inseparable bond. Rosie begins to preform with Marlena and puts on the most successful shows the circus has ever had. Jacob and Marlena's relationships begins to grow, the two see and talk to each other more frequently which causes August to grow angry.
Out of anger, August begins to abuse Marlena and get involved in a fight with Jacob leaving all three hurt. Not only does Jacob now have a target on his back but his good friend Camel develops "Jake leg" a disease where one's body slowly becomes paralyzed leaving them unable to work. This is caused by drinking ginger extract. Camel is on the verge of getting red lighted because of his inability to work. Jacob feels that his life with the circus is becoming too much but steps up to the plate to try and work out his eventful life.
SPOLIER! If you plan on reading the book do not read below!
Jacob believes that August is the root of all his problems and plans to kill him while he sleeps. That night, Jacob realizes he is not cold-hearted enough to commit murder and chickens out. When Jacob returns to his room he discovers that Camel and Walter are missing... not only are they missing but Jacob is given the news that they have been red lighted along with several other men.
The next few days bring chaos on the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. While preforming, a stampede takes place causing panic. While protecting Marlena, Jacob watches as Rosie lifts a steak from the ground and pierces it through the back of August's head, ultimately causing his death. The circus has no choice but to shut down forever.
Without August, Jacob and Marlena begin a new chapter in their lives together. The two are accompanied by Rosie, Bobo and their unborn child.
The novel comes to an end by present-day Jacob reflecting on his wonderful life with Marlena and five children. It is also the day Jacob has been waiting for, he's going to see the circus with his family! Unfortunately, Jacob's family fails to show up. Taking matters into his own hands Jacob sneaks out of the nursing home to catch what he can of the show. When Jacob finally reaches his destination, he is ecstatic. To Jacob, the circus is home.