Book Review: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Today's post is a little different than usual.  I love reading and after receiving a Kindle for Christmas, I decided to start book reviews on my blog.  These will be up a couple of days after I've finished a book. 

The latest book I've read was Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.  Based in the 1930s, Jacob Jankowski was days away from becoming a certified Vet, graduating from Cornell, when a fatal accident killed his parents and turned his life upside down.  Jacob never took his exams, instead taking to the train tracks.  On the same evening he ran from his old life, a circus train passed through and Jacob jumped on, joining The Benzini Brothers.  After being promoted from roustabout to the Circus Vet, Jacob met Marlena, the Ringmasters wife and the two fell in love.  Little did Jacob know just how far Marlena's husband would go to keep her.  Passing through a village where one circus had collapsed, Benzini Brothers picked up an Elephant called Rosie.  With Jacob now working closely with Rosie and Marlena, it becomes uncomfortably clear that there's more than just friendship between the two humans.  

I really enjoyed this book.  It's an extremely easy book to read and keeps you captivated throughout.  Admittedly, I'd seen the film before reading the book but in comparison, the book was far better.  Sara Gruen flashes back and forth from a younger Jacob to an 80 something Jacob, both in love with the Circus, Marlena and an Elephant.  

If you're looking for a light, entertaining read, I certainly recommend this book.  There is some scenes of violence in the book, including animal cruelty but other than that it is a heart warming read! Overall, I'd give this book 4/5.

Have you got any book recommendations for me?