My final blog post for quarter 2! Wouldn't it be nice if I had finished "Water for Elephants" in time for this momentous occasion? Unfortunately, I still have 100 pages left, but I did read about 200 pages this week. This is by far one of the best book I've read in a long time, and I've been trying to figure out why I like it so much. Here's what I've come up with so far:
Past and Present
Like in "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close", tales of the past and of the present are intertwined. However, unlike EL&IC, in this book both stories are captivating. I find the stories about Jacob's past in the circus fascinating, but I also get a good laugh reading about his strong will and attitude in his present-day life at a nursing home.
Reality?
Jacob now lives in a nursing home, and he is getting old. However, since he still has such vivid memories of his youth in the circus, he can't handle the thought of getting old, or 'slipping', as he puts it. He burst into tears when he is told that he has been babbling for minutes, but he has absolutely no recollection of speaking at all. This is when he realizes that he is slipping. He has lost his memory, with exemption of his circus stories, and he can't keep track of his grandchildren. He doesn't even recognize them when they come to visit. Jacob wanted to keep his 'sanity' a little longer, and the fact that he is an old man is hard to bear. I like this, because I've never quite agreed that every single person is at peace with being old and dependent on other people. I think this different perspective is a breath of fresh air.
Plot
Though perhaps not the most creative, "Water for Elephants" has an interesting plot with lots of twists. The fact that the story takes place on a traveling circus is also bound to make things more interesting. In essence, Jacob is in love with Marylena, who is married to Jacob's boss August. August has a good side, and a quite evil side. Is Jacob going to end up with Marylena? Also, Marylena kills someone in the prologue? Who? Is it August? The plot is nothing out of the ordinary, but it is very captivating.
I love this book, and I think these are some of the reasons why. Then again, maybe I just really like historical fiction?
2 comments:
So...
circus v.s. nursing home
If I had already made real my dream of joining the circus, all I'd have to do would be work at a nursing home and you could've been reading about me the whole time.
Lend me the book after you finish those 100 final pages, Becca.
Anna :)
I would also like to read this book, it sounds very interesting and intriguing.
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