Fourth Outside Reading

I'm now on chapter fourteen in Water for Elephants and I can't believe only one week has past since I started reading. So much has happened in the story. Jacob Jankowski is now nearly settled into circus life and has been made the circus vet. At first he protested, saying he never technically finished his schooling at Cornell, but as his mentor August said, "The whole thing's illusion, Jacob, and there's nothing wrong with that. It's what people want from us. It's what they expect."

This story, set during the Depression, depicts circuses in two ways: the romantic, striking, and fascinating light they were created for, and the hard working, slightly crazy world they really are. The hard part is finding the fine line that divides these ways. Is there a way for a world to both be completely insane and strikingly amazing at the same time? Jacob's world is constantly switching between the two. One instant he's cleaning out manuer and the next he's dancing across a spinning dance floor. I'm wondering if I'd enjoy a life like this. The hard work wouldn't be so bad if it was rewarded with exciting adventures like Jacob's is. Other than the obvious cruelty to animals and the fact that Jacob doesn't actually sleep on a real bed, I think I could get used to a life like this. I'd enjoy the thrilling performing atmosphere, and a bit of mindless work might even be soothing once and a while, as long as it's not too painfully difficult.

Regarding the writing style of this book, I think it contains many more good qualities than bad. The descriptions and moods are amazing, and the use of adjectives is flawless. The characterization is also very well done. The writer has done an impressive job of showing many different sides of a character while still staying true to their core personalities. One example of this is Walter, who when he first meets Jacob is rude and unaccepting. We find out this is because he is the only performer bunking with a worker, and are therefore given a look into his personality as well as an important detail regarding the circus hierarchy. As the story goes on, Walter becomes kinder and kinder to Jacob, realizing that he really has no reason to hate his bunkmate. However, he never looses the original coldness and sarcasm that is originally introduced with his character.

This book is enjoyable, easy to read, and will easily be finished by next week; so stay tuned for my full review in post #5.