“Still don't get why Jacob was mad about Mr. McGuinity supposedly lying about carrying water for elephants.”
“After reading Water for Elephants, Rosie stays with me more than anyone or anything else, but I give a tip of the hat to Gruen for re-creating an era that was visceral and compelling in her hands.”
“DISCUSSION QUESTIONS(contains spoilers)1. Why does Jacob get so mad when Mr. McGuinity lies about carrying water for elephants?2. Did you find it hard to believe that in ivy league student would loose everything by running away and joining the circus after his father died? Did you see any other options for Jacob?3. How would the novel be different if Gruen had only written about the younger Jacob, never describing Jacob’s life as an old man?4. What disorder do you think August had?5. Did the chapters about the nursing home change how you think about older people?6. Did you know that elephants could smile?7. Did you prefer young Jacob, or older Jacob?8. Why do the performers hate the workers, and the workers hate the performers? What other groups in society are like this?9. Are you satisfied with the end?10. What did you think about an elephant who repeatedly pulled out her stake and stole lemonade? Unbelievable. Did you know this was true?11. How do August and Jacob differ in terms of the importance each places on Marlena's sixth sense with horses?12. Why do we crave the illusions that the circus represents?13. Jacob says, "My real stories are all out of date. So what if I can speak firsthand about the Spanish flu, the advent of the automobile, world wars, cold wars, guerrilla wars, and Sputnik --- that's all ancient history now. What else do I have to offer?" How might we learn to appreciate the stories and life lessons of our elders and encourage young people to appreciate them as well?14. Looking at himself in the mirror, the old Jacob tries to see beyond his sagging flesh. But he claims, "It's no good. I can't find myself anymore. When did I stop being me?" How would you answer that question for Jacob, or for yourself?15. Have you ever had a friend like Rosie?16. After Jacob successfully coaches August in Polish commands for Rosie, he observes, "It's only when I catch Rosie actually purring under August's loving ministrations that my conviction starts to crumble. And what I'm left looking at in its place is a terrible thing" (page 229). What is Jacob left "looking at," how does it pertain to August's personality and Jacob's relationship with August, and what makes it a "terrible thing"?15. Sara Gruen has said that her novel parallels the biblical story of Jacob in Genesis. How?”
“I'm a little embarrassed to ask this question... But I'm still confused about why Jacob got so mad at McGuirty for saying he carried water for elephants. Other than the fact that McGuirty would have been a rube (and Jacob's response was about the amount of water rather than the fact that McGuirty didn't work for the circus), I'm confused as to why he was so certain McGuirty was lying.Or maybe he was just upset that someone else was presenting himself as an insider of traveling circuses?”
“I just saw Water for Elephants (The movie). I read the book so mainly I know everything that will happen, and as I predicted I loved the movie much more (100 times) than the book. The director removed all the scenes I saw as unnecessary and grotesque.I cried when August hit Rosie and later when he tried to kill Marlena.But I loved the movie and I plan on re-watching it soon :)”
“I think this book is one of my all time favourites.. it was a fantastic story that had a bit of everything in it.”
“I like this book but it is kind of slow.”
“I remember reading n loving enid blyton's Circus books as a kid. Any similiarity ? so I shd. like this one ?”
“I really loved this book, especially enjoyed Jacob as an old man, very interesting insight into how it is to be old.. how depressing... but interesting to read and wonder if that is what is like to be in an old people's home. Quite destressing with regard to the treatment of animals especially after recently seeing real video of beating of an elephant in an English circus. Needless to say I won't be going to the circus again but from an historical point of view I enjoyed reading about how the circus travelled on a train and how they set it up etc.”
“You have to read this book. 'whipped through it in 2 days. Couldnt put it down. It wont dissapoint.”
