I finished the second and third chapters of "Water for Elephants". I am continuing to enjoy this book.
Chapter two is where the story really starts. The main character, Jacob, is at an Ivy League school studying to become a veterinarian and join his father's practice. His parents both die in a fatal car accident, and Jacob is left without a place. His parents were in debt, due to a loan they had taken out to pay for Jacob's schooling, so there is absolutely nothing left for him.
Jacob returns to school after a brief return home to deal with his parents' affairs. However, there is only one week left in the semester, and Jacob is soon lost. He hops a random train, and it ends up to be a circus train, where he is given a job. This is the part that surprised me. I envisioned him ending up in the circus after being homeless or out of options. He was perhaps out of options, but he just fell into the circus. I may just be leaning back on stereotypes, but i was very surprised that he got a job in the circus while being educated, and still well dressed and well fed.
Chapter three basically consisted of Jacob's life in the circus. He starts to learn the lingo, rules, and splendors of the circus. In many ways, this book plays into the pictures I have in my mind of circuses in that time period. The red and white awnings are described, as well as the schemes to earn more money, convincing men and women that "there is something in that tent you don't want to miss, for only 25 cents!"
I really like this book, let's hope it gets even better...
1 comment:
I've heard this is a really good book. When does it take place, though? His parents died in a car crash, yes? But then a circus only costs 25c. Maybe I'll read this myself someday, and figure it out.
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