Picture 1 of 1
Picture 1 of 1
Water for Elephants - A Novel by Sara Gruen - Paperback
US $7.50
ApproximatelyAU $11.04
or Best Offer
Condition:
“Good Used Condition.”
Very good
A book that does not look new and has been read but is in excellent condition. No obvious damage to the cover, with the dust jacket (if applicable) included for hard covers. No missing or damaged pages, no creases or tears, and no underlining/highlighting of text or writing in the margins. May be very minimal identifying marks on the inside cover. Very minimal wear and tear. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections.
Postage:
US $5.63 (approx. AU $8.29) USPS Media MailTM.
Located in: Newton, Illinois, United States
Save on combined postage
Delivery:
Estimated between Wed, 25 Sep and Fri, 27 Sep to 43230
Returns:
30-day returns. Seller pays for return postage.
Payments:
Shop with confidence
Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing.
eBay item number:144588422339
Item specifics
- Condition
- Very good
- Seller notes
- “Good Used Condition.”
- Country/Region of Manufacture
- United States
- Subject
- Literature, Modern
- ISBN
- 9781565125605
- Book Title
- Water for Elephants : a Novel
- Publisher
- Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
- Item Length
- 8.2 in
- Publication Year
- 2007
- Format
- Trade Paperback
- Language
- English
- Illustrator
- Yes
- Item Height
- 0.8 in
- Genre
- Fiction
- Topic
- Romance / Historical / 20th Century, Romance / Historical / General, Coming of Age, Historical
- Item Weight
- 10.3 Oz
- Item Width
- 5.5 in
- Number of Pages
- 352 Pages
About this product
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
ISBN-10
1565125606
ISBN-13
9781565125605
eBay Product ID (ePID)
56997435
Product Key Features
Book Title
Water for Elephants : a Novel
Number of Pages
352 Pages
Language
English
Topic
Romance / Historical / 20th Century, Romance / Historical / General, Coming of Age, Historical
Publication Year
2007
Illustrator
Yes
Genre
Fiction
Format
Trade Paperback
Dimensions
Item Height
0.8 in
Item Weight
10.3 Oz
Item Length
8.2 in
Item Width
5.5 in
Additional Product Features
Intended Audience
Trade
LCCN
2007-280214
Reviews
" At its finest, "Water for Elephants" resembles stealth hits like 'The Giant's House, ' by Elizabeth McCracken, or 'The Lovely Bones, ' by Alice Sebold, books that combine outrageously whimsical premises with crowd-pleasing romanticism. . . . Black-and-white photographs of real American circus scenes from the first half of the century are interspersed throughout the novel, and they brilliantly evoke the dignified power contained in the quieter moments of this unusual brotherhood. . . . With a showman's expert timing, [Gruen] saves a terrific revelation for the final pages, transforming a glimpse of Americana into an enchanting escapist fairy tale." -- "New York Times" Book Review, ""Water for Elephants" resembles stealth hits like "The Giant's House," by Elizabeth McCracken, or "The Lovely Bones," by Alice Sebold, books that combine outrageously whimsical premises with crowd-pleasing romanticism. . . . With a showman's expert timing, [Gruen] saves a terrific revelation for the final pages, transforming a glimpse of Americana into an enchanting escapist fairy tale."--The New York Times Book Review, & " Gritty, sensual and charged with dark secrets involving love, murder and a majestic, mute heroine (Rosie the Elephant).& " & - Parade, "Lively with historical detail and unexpected turns. . . . Water for Elephants is a rich surprise, a delightful gem springing from a fascinating footnote to history that absolutely deserved to be mined." --The Denver Post, & " Water for Elephants resembles stealth hits like The Giant's House, by Elizabeth McCracken, or The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold, books that combine outrageously whimsical premises with crowd-pleasing romanticism. . . . With a showman's expert timing, [Gruen] saves a terrific revelation for the final pages, transforming a glimpse of Americana into an enchanting escapist fairy tale.& " -- The New York Times Book Review, " Novelist Gruen unearths a lost world with her rich and surprising portrayal of life in a traveling circus in the '30s. An emotional tale that will please history buffs-- and others." "-- People", When his parents are killed in a traffic accident, Jacob Jankowski hops a train after walking out on his final exams at Cornell, where he had hoped to earn a veterinary degree. The train turns out to be a circus train, and since it's the Depression, when someone with a vet's skills can attach himself to a circus if he's lucky, Jacob soon finds himself involved with the animal acts-specifically with the beautiful young Marlena, the horse rider, and her husband, August. Jacob falls for Marlena immediately, and the ensuing triangle is at the center of this novel, which follows the circus across the states. Jacob learns the ins and outs of circus life, in this case under the rule of the treacherous Uncle Al, who cheats the workers and deals roughly with patrons who complain about blatant false advertising and rip-off exhibits. Jacob and Marlena are attracted to each other, but their relationship is fairly innocent until it becomes clear that August is not merely jealous but dangerously mentally deranged. Old-fashioned and endearing, this is an enjoyable, fast-paced story told by the older Jacob, now in his nineties in a nursing home. From the author of "Riding Lessons"; recommended for all libraries., You'll get lost in the tatty glamour of Gruen's meticulously researched world, from spangled equestrian pageantry and the sleazy side show to an ill-fated night at a Chicago speak-easy, "For pure story, this colorful, headlong tale of a Depression-era circus simply can't be beat. Heroes, villains, romance, a wild-animal stampede! Big fun from page 1."-Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly: "Best & Worst 2007", "Gritty, sensual and charged with dark secrets involving love, murder and a majestic, mute heroine (Rosie the Elephant)."--Parade, " "Water for Elephants" resembles stealth hits like "The Giant's House," by Elizabeth McCracken, or "The Lovely Bones," by Alice Sebold, books that combine outrageously whimsical premises with crowd-pleasing romanticism. . . . With a showman's expert timing, [Gruen] saves a terrific revelation for the final pages, transforming a glimpse of Americana into an enchanting escapist fairy tale." -- The New York Times Book Review, ""Water for Elephants" resembles stealth hits like "The Giant's House", by Elizabeth McCracken, or "The Lovely Bones", by Alice Sebold, books that combine outrageously whimsical premises with crowd-pleasing romanticism. . . . With a showman's expert timing, [Gruen] saves a terrific revelation for the final pages, transforming a glimpse of Americana into an enchanting escapist fairy tale."--The New York Times Book Review, " You'll get lost in the tatty glamour of Gruen's meticulously researched world, from spangled equestrian pageantry and the sleazy side show to an ill-fated night at a Chicago speak-easy." -- "Washington Post", "Gritty, sensual and charged with dark secrets involving love,murder and a majestic,mute heroine (Rosie the Elephant)."-Parade, "Gritty, sensual and charged with dark secrets involving love,murder and a majestic,mute heroine (Rosie the Elephant)."--Parade, " Gritty, sensual and charged with dark secrets involving love, murder and a majestic, mute heroine (Rosie the Elephant)." -- Parade
Dewey Edition
22
Dewey Decimal
813/.6
Synopsis
As a young man, Jacob Jankowski was tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. It was the early part of the great Depression, and for Jacob, now ninety, the circus world he remembers was both his salvation and a living hell. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was there that he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great gray hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and, ultimately, it was their only hope for survival., 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., Over 10,000,000 copies in print worldwide #1 New York Times Bestseller A Los Angeles Times Bestseller A Wall Street Journal Bestseller A Newsday Favorite Book of 2006 A USA Today Bestseller A Major Motion Picture starring Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz Jacob Janowski's luck had run out--orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was the Great Depression and for Jacob the circus was both his salvation and a living hell. There he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but brutal animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this group of misfits was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival., Over 10 million copies sold worldwide! * Now A Broadway Musical Starring Grant Gustin and Isabella McCalla #1 New York Times Bestseller * A Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal , & USA Today Bestseller "This colorful headlong tale of a Depression-era circus simply can't be beat." -- Stephen King A Major Motion Picture starring Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz Jacob Janowski's luck had run out--orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was the Great Depression and for Jacob the circus was both his salvation and a living hell. There he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but brutal animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this group of misfits was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.
LC Classification Number
PS3607.R696W38 2007
Item description from the seller
Seller Feedback (3,589)
- 1***k (37)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseItem arrived very quickly and was packaged with care. The postcard was exactly described and photographed. Never seen one like it anywhere else so I had to have it. Seller also has a lot of other neat vintage things and I'll be back for more.
- 4***b (36)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseGreat item and great price seller packaged well and it arrived in a timely manner
- p***e (436)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseExceptionally well packed for shipping. At first I thought shipping was high but after receiving, worth every Penny. Don’t hesitate to buy fragile products from this seller as they will arrive in top condition. So happy with seller and my product. Thanks.
Product ratings and reviews
Most relevant reviews
- 27 Jan, 2022Top favourable review
Water for Elephants? Great book.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-ownedSold by: second.sale
- 22 Mar, 2009
Loved it... until the end
- 04 Aug, 2008
A real page turner
- 04 Sep, 2007
Book Review: Water for Elephants
- 21 Jan, 2009
Water for Elephants
More to explore:
- Sara Paretsky Paperback Fiction & Fiction Books,
- Novel Fiction Paperback Fiction & Books,
- Comics, Graphic Novels & TPBs,
- Fiction Novels-Fiction Books,
- Superheroes Comics, Graphic Graphic Novels,
- Phantom Comics, Graphic Novels & TPBs,
- Omnibus Comics, Graphic Novels & TPBs,
- Batman Comics, Graphic Graphic Novels,
- Marvels Comics, Graphic Novels & TPBs,
- Colour Comics, Graphic Novels & TPBs