So, I couldn't wait. I know I wasn't going to start until the first of the year, but with bookworm being so new and functional, I just had to dive right in!!!
Okay, so with this book challenge, I will blog and rate the books I have read. I will try not to ruin the plot by going into too much detail, but I will give you my honest opinion of the book and the overall storyline. I will then rate the books on a 5 star rating system. 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. Who knows, maybe I will throw in some negatives for really bad books, and some positives for some really good books. On with the review.
Book number 1: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Set during the depression on a circus train. Mr. Jacob Jankowski loses his parents and leaves college to find himself jumping aboard a circus train. He is hired on by Uncle Al as a vet for the animals in the show. The story flashes back and forth from present to past, but is easy to follow and you don't get mixed up on the timeline. Jacob falls in love with a performer, Marlena, but she is married to August a crazy boss. We have "showgirls" fat ladies, animals and circus workers. They unload the train, set up the show, take down the show, and load the train. People are thrown off the train, animals are put to rest, and Rosie the elephant eats cabbage from a garden. The story ends in present day, and I couldn't ask for a better ending. Gruen really did a good job hitting the climax and ending on a high note.
Things I will forewarn you about. LANGUAGE... yes, the cuss words are there and they hit you hard. For a second during my reading, I thought I was with a bunch of sailors! Oh come on, that was funny. You know the old saying, "you talk like a bunch of sailors" I don't even know if that's the saying, but you get the picture. And you do. Now, I am not a foul language user, and it throws me off guard to read the words. Sometimes I could see the legitimacy in the usage, and other times, I think Gruen was just adding lines to her book. Also, a few of the chapters have some sexual encounters that I will not go into detail about. Just letting you know.
So, without giving the entire story away, I think that is about it. BOOK number 1 gets 2.5 stars. Call me silly, but the language and sex didn't need to be there. If they do make this a movie and edit nothing from the book, it will get a rating of R for sure. I'm just sayin'. Not a critic, but that is my report!
Next on the list... a classic from the elementary days: Island of Blue Dolphins!
Happy Reading... don't forget to comment and follow. Also, hit the like and share button on facebook!!
I agree with you about the language and sex but besides that I really was fascinated by the story. I never put deep thought into circus life so this was definitely outside the box for me but I loved it! This will be a fun blog!
ReplyDeletep.s. i hope the movie isn't R rated because I really want to see it:)
I loved Water for Elephants...then again, language doesn't bother me in the least unless it's racist or homophobic, so I didn't really notice the excessive cursing. :) ...Same with the sex scenes, just not something that bothers me. But I know and understand that it is an issue for some. Anyway, I thought the story and writing were wonderful. She definitely does a wonderful job drawing you into the story and the circus world she's created. Looking forward to your next review--I love the idea! Love you girl!
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