Contrary to what a commenter who described me as closed-minded and not wanting to “live in the real world” thinks, I love a good story – one that is genuine, substantial, gritty, with all sorts of obstacles to overcome and all sorts of real life situations to endure. I want to read stories where the protagonist is believable, struggling with some fear or hindrance, but in the end finding something worthy about an unknown inner strength. I don’t equate quality to Christian literature, clean virtue or perky storylines. I deem a story worthwhile for its excellent writing, its wonderful character definitions and its ability to make me think, believe, hope, ponder. However, I would hope that a writer can present such a story without the vulgarity of explicit sex, crude situations or terrible language.
Don’t get me wrong; I don’t have to have fairy tale endings. Often my favorite books leave me crying over the impending peril or pain that a favored character endured or eventually must suffer. More often than not I have the connection with the characters because they have been written so well that they seem genuine, alive, soulful. I make no apologies for becoming so wrapped up in a story that I emote for a fictional character. It’s the way I work. I am entitled to berate stupidity, to applaud conquests and to weep for a loss. To be honest, I always pictured the emotions and deep connection with a story/character as being the highest compliment a reader could give to an author.
What I resent most of the commenter is that she took one review where I stated my opinion about the atrociousness of a book and labeled me as living out of the real world. She immediately (and incorrectly) assumed that I, not liking what was portrayed nor the poor writing, cannot have a real grasp on life and all its ugliness or all its beauty. Too bad she took no time to read any of my other reviews. She would be sorely embarrassed for her quick judgment and lack of grace.
I just needed to get that off my chest. Now I feel better. Thanks for bearing through the first part to get to the review.
Remembering that I just deemed a story worthwhile and beautiful based on it being “genuine, substantial, gritty, with all sorts of obstacles to overcome and all sorts of real life situations to endure,” I can only whole-heartedly recommend Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen as a Must Read book.
Meet Joseph Jankowski. He’s a spry, personable, cantankerous person trapped in the body of a 93 year old man. “I am ninety. Or ninety-three. One or the other.” So begins the story of a man with a gloriously colorful, story-filled past which no one is hears because he has been shut away in a nursing home, which he hates with the utmost passion. He wasn’t always a prisoner of age. He at one time fulfilled most peoples’ dreams of running away to join a circus… literally.
As the pages move flawlessly back and forth from present-day mind of Jankowski to past life of him in 1931 during the middle of the Depression – from the raucous, worldly circus environment to the bland corridors of the assisted-living institution – the world is seen through Jacob’s viewpoint, as he battles powerlessly against the decay of old age and the secrets of his life in the Big Top.
The characters are rich and true, uttering lines that will make the reader laugh out loud and weep with despair. Even the animals, who are complex, personable and lively, are a crucial part of the story. After all, no circus is complete without the menagerie. Gruen’s research into the lives of circus entertainers/workers and the animals performing in the 1930s was a thorough, not to mention fascinating. She spared no details to include all the right vocabulary: grifters, roustabouts, workers, cooch tent, rubes, First of May, what the band plays when there’s trouble, Jamaican ginger paralysis, life on a circus train, set-up and take-down, being run out of town by the “revenooers” or the cops, and losing all your hooch.
There is something in the novel for everyone: it is equal parts adventure, mystery, fictional memoir, love story, and historical account. It is a well-written, convincing narrative that is full of characters with flaws, uncomfortable situations and a yarn that make the reader want to keep turning the pages until the book is finished.
Try Water For Elephants… I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!
Loved this book!!
One of my very favorite books.
I’m guessing that other reader wouldn’t be a fan of the Mitford books either…
I have not read this book – now I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
Thanks for all your work.
Thanks for always taking the time to preview these books for us. I would never read a book that you said was bad. I think you have great taste and I know you would never write a bad review if it weren’t true!
I’ve been thinking about reading it, and I will give it a try after reading your review.
Sorry about the commenter who upset you. I appreciate your reviews!
Wow, sorry about the commentor.
” I deem a story worthwhile for its excellent writing, its wonderful character definitions and its ability to make me think, believe, hope, ponder. However, I would hope that a writer can present such a story without the vulgarity of explicit sex, crude situations or terrible language.”
I totally agree with you there. And I think that in doing your review of a book you are anything but closeminded. I think another factor in there is that we all throw our own personal tastes into the mix. There have been books you loved that I totally disliked and books that I totally loved that well, let’s just say you didn’t give a good review for. LOL. Does that mean either of us is closeminded and not living in the real world? Absolutely not. It means we have different tastes and take different things away from different stories. And it makes for fun email debates. And that is living in the real world to me.
Anyhow, can’t wait to read this book now.
I’ve heard that book IS very good.
You know, I think a book can be a good book and still have swearing and sexuality and so on, but if it’s morally sound and it’s making a point, then it’s all good. But if it’s just trying to be titilating and there’s nothing there, why bother reading it?
I’ll definitely check the library for this one. I need a good book to read 🙂 Thanks for the, as always, thorough and interesting review!
I have picked this up so many times to purchase and haven’t.
Now I KNOW I have to get my hands on it somehow!
xo ~K
I also love this book. Great review.
Water for Elephants was one of my favorite books last year and one I passed along to friends. I loved learning about the Circus, that period of time in history, and especially adored the 90 or 93 year old man.
The Mitford series is truly a jewel. Father Tim is one of my all time favorite characters. This series challenged me in my walk to love the unlovely, notice the lonely, and reach out to embrace idiosyncrasys in others rather than be miffed by them.
I think if a novel has over all redeeming qualities, I can over look some things that may not fit with my morals. I loved People of The Book- excellent, excellent read. Even though the main character jumps into bed with a man she has known for less than 48 hours, the overall theme of the book is nobel.
One question- when do you sleep…? You work full time, children, house, read like crazy… I am in awe.
The whole point of a book review is to share your opinion of the book with us, favorable or not. I’ve always appreciated that you’re honest.
The whole point of a commenter like that…well, I don’t think there is one. I’ll never understand why people leave comments like this. Good grief.
Shalee, I was sorely tempted to send an e-mail to that commenter. I had the e-mail window open, her address inserted, even started the message. Then Someone put a hand on my shoulder and whispered in my ear, why bother. I figure someone who would leave such an ignorant comment on your blog, without knowing you or reading other books reviews you have written, is just not worth my time. and for sure I do not want to involve you in some kind of flame war 😉
You just keep on writing those great reviews, and telling us what you really think!
Though I don’t think I commented on the book you mentioned at first, I remember thinking as I read it that I love your honesty in your reviews. I love to share about the books I read, too, and wrestle sometimes with whether to comment on what I don’t like. I don’t want to be unkind, but it doesn’t mean a lot if every review is glowing with superlatives. I tend to trust more a reviewer who presents the good and the bad as you do. And one area where I will always speak up about is “the vulgarity of explicit sex, crude situations or terrible language.” Modern books are just overrun with such.
In a recent review of Northanger Abbey, I mentioned that one of the study questions in the back asked whether Austen’s characters felt sexual desire and whether “Austen’s realism be considered complete without this aspect of human relationships.” And I thought — good grief! There is plenty of evidence of sexuality in Austen’s books without it being spelled out. One commenter made the point that Jane Austen would consider modern fiction unreal in its emphasis on sexuality — I thought that was a good point.
Oh GOOOD! That commmenter bugged me, and I hoped you’d take her on.
Unlike you, i AM closed minded and love fairy tales and only fairy tales.