Sammy's Reviews > Water for Elephants
Water for Elephants
by
by
![103544](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1264098311p2/103544.jpg)
** spoiler alert **
SPOILERS IN MY REVIEW! I'M SORRY ABOUT SPOILING IT FOR PEOPLE, REALLY I AM, IT WAS NEVER INTENTIONAL. BUT AS WITH ALL REVIEWS (ESPECIALLY MINE) THERE ARE GOING TO BE SPOILERS. I DELETED ALL THE COMMENTS THAT WERE HARASSING ME ABOUT ACCIDENTLY SPOILING THE BOOK. SERIOUSLY, I'M SORRY, BUT PEOPLE DON'T NEED TO BE COMPLETE AND UTTER ASSHOLES ABOUT IT. NOT EVERYONE, TO THOSE OF YOU WHO WERE NICE, I REALLY AM SORRY THAT I SPOILED THE BOOK. I FORGET THAT GOODREADS DOESN'T HAVE A WAY OF HIDING SPOILERS... THEY SHOULD. IF I COULD GIVE YOU A COOKIE TO MAKEUP FOR THE FACT THAT I GAVE AWAY SOME STUFF. GOOD READS OBVIOUSLY DELETED MY FIRST REVIEW, BUT THIS IS THE SAME EXACT THING I HAD WRITTEN BEFORE... SO ONCE AGAIN, DON'T READ THE NON-CAPSLOCKED STUFF BELOW THIS BECAUSE IT DOES CONTAIN SPOILERS. SO IF YOU LEAVE ME A COMMENT THIS TIME AROUND BITCHING ABOUT SPOILERS YOU ONLY HAVE YOURSELF TO BITCH AT BECAUSE I FRIGGIN' WARNED YOU. AND JUST FOR THE RECORD: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!
I could not put this book down. I disagree with the statement that the ending was predictable. On the contrary I was pleasantly surprised that Jacob and Marlena ended up together because I thought the book was going to follow the format of those "never meant to be" loves. You know, where they hook up, yearn for each other, but can't grow old together.
I think the biggest disappointment I had with the book was Marlena's relative weakness. I think I would have loved the book even more had she been written as a stronger woman. Though I think her nature reflected that of most women back in the 30s. Still, I got annoyed by the frequent crying she did. I was proud of her for standing up to August in the end. Even so, Marlena's weakness didn't stop me from loving the book.
What drew me in the most was our flash forwards to 93-year-old (or is it 90?) Jacob. With the exception of his grouchiness everything about him reminded me of my grandfather, who past away last Thanksgiving at 97. It was the fact that he was failing physically but was holding on strong mentally that kept making me think of this man I admired so much. Also, Jacob's undying love for his wife was extremely remeniscent of my grandfather's relationship with my grandmother. If you have elderly loved ones this is just another reason for you to pick up this book. It will probably make you want to call up said loved one and talk to them about their past and their memories. Hopefully it will also strike a note to those who have ignored/forgotten/set aside their loved ones for so long, as Jacob's family has done with him.
Animal lovers beware with this book. As much as Jacob loves and has a passion for the animals he cares for, there is also a lot of animal abuse that takes place throughout the novel. Being a huge animal rights activist and just all around animal lover, I knew that the animals probably weren't going to be treated very well seeing as 70 years ago animals in the circus were only taken care of as long as they were bringing in a profit, even then... But despite having prepared myself, I was still caught of guard often. So just know that upon picking up this book. The happy animal moments do outweigh the cruelty, though, and if you know animal behavior at all you'll find yourself giggling and cheering quite a bit.
On a final note, this book is being praised as a romance novel, but it's so much more than that. There are so many layers and characters in this book that to shove it in that one exclusive category could turn away a lot of potential readers who will love this book. If you're a lover of animals, the elderly, adventure, circuses, the Great Depression, or even drunks, pick up this book and you'll find yourself hooked.
I could not put this book down. I disagree with the statement that the ending was predictable. On the contrary I was pleasantly surprised that Jacob and Marlena ended up together because I thought the book was going to follow the format of those "never meant to be" loves. You know, where they hook up, yearn for each other, but can't grow old together.
I think the biggest disappointment I had with the book was Marlena's relative weakness. I think I would have loved the book even more had she been written as a stronger woman. Though I think her nature reflected that of most women back in the 30s. Still, I got annoyed by the frequent crying she did. I was proud of her for standing up to August in the end. Even so, Marlena's weakness didn't stop me from loving the book.
What drew me in the most was our flash forwards to 93-year-old (or is it 90?) Jacob. With the exception of his grouchiness everything about him reminded me of my grandfather, who past away last Thanksgiving at 97. It was the fact that he was failing physically but was holding on strong mentally that kept making me think of this man I admired so much. Also, Jacob's undying love for his wife was extremely remeniscent of my grandfather's relationship with my grandmother. If you have elderly loved ones this is just another reason for you to pick up this book. It will probably make you want to call up said loved one and talk to them about their past and their memories. Hopefully it will also strike a note to those who have ignored/forgotten/set aside their loved ones for so long, as Jacob's family has done with him.
Animal lovers beware with this book. As much as Jacob loves and has a passion for the animals he cares for, there is also a lot of animal abuse that takes place throughout the novel. Being a huge animal rights activist and just all around animal lover, I knew that the animals probably weren't going to be treated very well seeing as 70 years ago animals in the circus were only taken care of as long as they were bringing in a profit, even then... But despite having prepared myself, I was still caught of guard often. So just know that upon picking up this book. The happy animal moments do outweigh the cruelty, though, and if you know animal behavior at all you'll find yourself giggling and cheering quite a bit.
On a final note, this book is being praised as a romance novel, but it's so much more than that. There are so many layers and characters in this book that to shove it in that one exclusive category could turn away a lot of potential readers who will love this book. If you're a lover of animals, the elderly, adventure, circuses, the Great Depression, or even drunks, pick up this book and you'll find yourself hooked.
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Reading Progress
June 9, 2007
– Shelved
Started Reading
August 1, 2007
–
Finished Reading
August 22, 2007
– Shelved as:
a-the-best
Comments Showing 1-50 of 54 (54 new)
message 1:
by
Wes
(last edited Aug 25, 2016 01:47PM)
(new)
Nov 16, 2007 07:15AM
![Wes](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1246722371p1/246933.jpg)
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![Lisa Todd](https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_25x33-d79c46f9428d2aea1444d67c091766a6.png)
is your icon reflective of your sorriness? you look upset :(
![Rachel M.](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1708886558p1/177997.jpg)
I'm sorry people were mean to you.
![Sue Seely](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1607556235p1/769157.jpg)
![Lindsey](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1555611473p1/986096.jpg)
![Cindy](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1348009733p1/1026025.jpg)
![Mia Tryst](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1616644215p1/145536.jpg)
I don't like wasting my time on stupid books; just because they made it on the New York Times Bestseller lists doesn't mean that the book/writing is any good. You're doing me a favor by writing up a book review with spoilers. Thanks, keep up the good work.
![Casey](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1334772325p1/80407.jpg)
![Cloie](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1215100623p1/344994.jpg)
![Katharine (Ventureadlaxre)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1419414955p1/1094570.jpg)
People can be over the top when insulting though. Maybe you can edit your review to just being the review again now, if you've deleted all the bad comments. Like the above poster said, ALL CAPS IS SCREAMING.
Kudos on reading The Mists of Avalon though. Great book.
![Lori](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1645890152p1/369169.jpg)
Reviews do not need to contain spoilers. You can talk about the book without giving away important plot information. Perhaps it's an art form? Though I doubt it.
I,for one, do not like to be spoiled on a book that I want to read. Would I bash the person for doing so? Perhaps not, but I would definetly let them hear about it and inform them of how to block their reviews for future novels.
However, beware the wrath of other loyal bookaholics.....
![Eva Celeste](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1191641349p1/479633.jpg)
That said, I'm sorry people were rude to you regarding this issue. I have twice inadvertently put "spoilers" in amazon.com reviews and got some snarky jabs myself. Oops, they can get over it. You live, you learn, I won't do it again. Geez, people.
![Deidre](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1206817210p1/954193.jpg)
![Jasmine](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1373223038p1/1744828.jpg)
![Rachael](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442452856p1/226860.jpg)
![Marcy Reiz](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1258672313p1/2793645.jpg)
But, I just wanted to (nicely) let you know that goodreads does have a way to let people know that there are spoilers in your review, however, I think that by clicking "this review contains spoilers" it may block your review from being read by others....
hope this helps :o)
![Jeff Steward](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1279323230p1/2348149.jpg)
![Sadie](https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_25x33-d79c46f9428d2aea1444d67c091766a6.png)
![Carol Neman](https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_25x33-d79c46f9428d2aea1444d67c091766a6.png)
![Nancy](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1480789064p1/4667835.jpg)
![Carol Neman](https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_25x33-d79c46f9428d2aea1444d67c091766a6.png)
![Kayla Quay](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1448777464p1/2093981.jpg)
I really don't think your review contained any spoilers.
![Ashley](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1248806636p1/2363346.jpg)
I know! some books I want to know what happens BEFORE I read it. like with this book. lol, thanks.
![Carol Neman](https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_25x33-d79c46f9428d2aea1444d67c091766a6.png)
![Ashley](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1248806636p1/2363346.jpg)
Carol- Man you have a gift. I am a horrible skimmer. I get sucked in once I start reading.
See- with this book, I really want someone to sit down with me and tell me the whole thing. I really REALLY want to read it, but I want to know more before I do. First off- Animal cruelty bothers me in an EXTREME way, and first comment about that I was worried. And I need to know its happy and no animals die. LOL
Also...(and this is about the movie) the whole Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson together... is kinda buggin me. Not sure why. I love them both. But together??? She is like 10 years older than him. I dont' know. Maybe I am just weird.
It does seem strange. I think (I would if I were her) Kirsten Stewert flew up to where they're filming because... you know.
Also, I love them both too! but together? ehhh...
Also, I love them both too! but together? ehhh...
![Ashley](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1248806636p1/2363346.jpg)
I am just excited for this book and the movie. All of it. It looks brillant.
Yeah Reese way prettier then Kirsten. Don't tell her I said that! *wink*
Now that I think about it, if you get Kirsten out of the picture... they DO look good together. yeah I can see it!! Sorry Kirsten, you're not his Bella anymore! (maybe is Reese died her hair brown, she could be Bella!) ;) Yay!! (also don't tell that to some serious Kirsten Stewert/Bella fans)
Now that I think about it, if you get Kirsten out of the picture... they DO look good together. yeah I can see it!! Sorry Kirsten, you're not his Bella anymore! (maybe is Reese died her hair brown, she could be Bella!) ;) Yay!! (also don't tell that to some serious Kirsten Stewert/Bella fans)
![Chelsea](https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_25x33-d79c46f9428d2aea1444d67c091766a6.png)
![Colleen](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1674915633p1/185680.jpg)
![Cyd](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1440670443p1/2009106.jpg)
![Mandy](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1686936537p1/5247933.jpg)
![Lisa](https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_25x33-d79c46f9428d2aea1444d67c091766a6.png)
![Jayme](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1366340966p1/4224611.jpg)
![Lydia LaPutka](https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_25x33-d79c46f9428d2aea1444d67c091766a6.png)
![Marcy Reiz](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1258672313p1/2793645.jpg)
![Chrissy](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1372532370p1/6809588.jpg)
Don't worry, some people are just plain dumbasses. Your review didn't have any spoilers that I could see. As someone else mentioned within the first few pages it does the whole going back in time type of thing with the main character.
You know the old saying, "opinions are like assholes and everyone has one." Just take their views with a grain of salt as that's what you have to do when you are reading comments from others that are rude to you.....it's often easier for them to be mean online and in person they're the type that wouldn't say boo.