An atmospheric, gritty, and compelling novel of star-crossed lovers, set in the circus world circa 1932, by the bestselling author of Riding Lessons.
When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and suddenly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, grifters, and misfits, a second-rate circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making one-night stands in town after endless town. A veterinary student who almost earned his degree, Jacob is put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It is there that he meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, who is married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. He also meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her.
Beautifully written, Water for Elephants is illuminated by a wonderful sense of time and place. It tells a story of a love between two people that overcomes incredible odds in a world in which even love is a luxury that few can afford.
When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and suddenly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, grifters, and misfits, a second-rate circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making one-night stands in town after endless town. A veterinary student who almost earned his degree, Jacob is put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It is there that he meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, who is married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. He also meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her.
Beautifully written, Water for Elephants is illuminated by a wonderful sense of time and place. It tells a story of a love between two people that overcomes incredible odds in a world in which even love is a luxury that few can afford.
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Used availability for Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants
See all available used copies of this book at: Abebooks UK or Abebooks US
Hardback Editions
2007 : Hardback
| Title: Water for Elephants Author(s): Sara Gruen Publisher: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill Availability: Amazon More details... |
October 2006 : Hardback
| Title: Water for Elephants Author(s): Sara Gruen ISBN: 0-340-93528-6 / 978-0-340-93528-6 (UK edition) Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd Availability: Amazon UK More details... |
October 2006 : Hardback
| Title: Water for Elephants Author(s): Sara Gruen ISBN: 0-7862-9027-7 / 978-0-7862-9027-7 (USA edition) Publisher: Thorndike Press Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
May 2006 : Hardback
| Title: Water for Elephants Author(s): Sara Gruen ISBN: 1-56512-499-5 / 9781565124998 (USA edition) Publisher: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
May 2006 : Hardback
| Title: Water for Elephants Author(s): Sara Gruen ISBN: 0-00-200777-0 / 978-0-00-200777-1 (UK edition) Publisher: HarperCollins Canada Availability: Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
Paperback Editions
February 2008 : Paperback
| Title: Water for Elephants: A Novel Author(s): Sara Gruen ISBN: 0-340-96272-0 / 978-0-340-96272-5 (UK edition) Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
May 2007 : Paperback
| Title: Water for Elephants (Thorndike Paperback Bestsellers) Author(s): Sara Gruen ISBN: 1-59413-200-3 / 9781594132001 (USA edition) Publisher: Large Print Distribution Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
April 2007 : Paperback
| Title: Water for Elephants: A Novel Author(s): Sara Gruen ISBN: 1-56512-560-6 / 9781565125605 (USA edition) Publisher: Algonquin Books Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
April 2007 : Paperback
| Title: Water for Elephants Author(s): Gruen Sara ISBN: 0-340-93546-4 / 978-0-340-93546-0 (UK edition) Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks Availability: Amazon UK More details... |
March 2007 : Paperback
| Title: Water for Elephants Author(s): Sara Gruen ISBN: 0-00-639155-9 / 978-0-00-639155-5 (UK edition) Publisher: Harper Collins Canada Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
2007 : Paperback
| Title: Water for Elephants Author(s): Sara Gruen ISBN: 9867759516 / 9789867759511 Publisher: Algonquin Availability: Amazon More details... |
October 2006 : Paperback
| Title: Water for Elephants Author(s): Sara Gruen ISBN: 0-340-93805-6 / 978-0-340-93805-8 (UK edition) Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd Availability: Amazon UK More details... |
2006 : Paperback
| Title: Water for Elephants Author(s): Sara Gruen ISBN: 0-7394-7497-9 / 978-0-7394-7497-6 (USA edition) Publisher: Algonquin Books Availability: Amazon More details... |
Audio Editions
April 2006 : Audio CD
| Title: Water for Elephants Author(s): Sara Gruen ISBN: 1-59887-062-9 / 9781598870626 (USA edition) Publisher: HighBridge Company Availability: Amazon Amazon CA More details... |
Other Editions
April 2007 : Kindle edition
| Title: Water for Elephants: A Novel Author(s): Sara Gruen Publisher: Algonquin Books Availability: Amazon More details... |
November 2006 : Unknown
| Title: Water for Elephants Author(s): Sara Gruen ISBN: 1-59895-643-4 / 9781598956436 (USA edition) Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
November 2006 : Unknown
| Title: Water for Elephants: Library Edition Author(s): Sara Gruen ISBN: 1-59895-649-3 / 9781598956498 (USA edition) Publisher: Playaway Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
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