From SaraGruen.com ~ As a young man, Jacob Jankowski was tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. It was the early part of the great Depression, and for Jacob, now ninety, the circus world he remembers was both his salvation and a living hell. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie.It was there that he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great gray hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and, ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.
I had started reading this book a couple years ago. I couldn't get into it and gave up after a couple chapters.
I recently picked it up again and enjoyed it. I guess I was in a different frame of mind than before. I found the story moved along at a quick pace and it kept my interest. I cared about the characters.
I found the history of the circus interesting. I'm so glad I wasn't around in those days and had to endure what they did.
My only problem with this book was the amount of abuse of animals, especially with Rosie the elephant. I know it was a key to the story but it was hard to read.
The movie version with Robert Pattison, Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz (I bet he'll be fabulous as August) is coming out in a couple weeks. I'm not sure whether I'll go see it because of the animal abuse.
I fell in love with Rosie the elephant while reading this book. My favorite part was when Jacob discovered that she only understood commands in Hungarian :) At least she got some revenge on her tormentors.
ReplyDeletei want to read this but i don't know yet. Maybe if i like the movie enough i will.
ReplyDeleteThis book is looking very interesting to me and I want to read this,you have provide me the good knowledge for this.I like your post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us.
Great story and quick read. Would love to see the movie but will have to wait for the video as it is not the kind of movie DH would go and see.
ReplyDeleteIt does sound like a good read, and film. I am the same way with certain books, on occasion I put something down and then later on (sometimes much later) get into it. I too think its a matter of where your mind space is at sometimes :)
ReplyDeleteI also loved this book. I am interested in the movie but we dont have a theater anywhere close by so I have to wait for the dvd :(
ReplyDeleteThis book is on my "to read" list. I've almost bought it a number of times but have resisted. I'll put it on my library hold list, I guess!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't handle the animal cruelty either. I don't care how good the story is, if it enrages and saddens me, I won't read it again or watch the movie.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this book and then see the movie. I have been wanting to read it for a very time.
ReplyDeleteI just moved it up on my to be read list.
I want to read this and it has been on my Amazon wishlist for a long time but just like you I don't know if I can handle the elephant/animal abuse. I just think it will make me upset and sad. I'm probably just not in the right mindset yet.
ReplyDelete