Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

As I am a sucker for books who have been or are being adapted into movies, I couldn't help but pick up this book after hearing about the movie. I actually listened to most of the book on tape as my husband and I were out delivering newspapers and I was immediately sucked into the story.It may have helped that there was even creepy music that played between certain chapters that added to the overall ambiance of the book.

I actally worked for a few months in an assisted living facility and old Jacob reminded me of so many of my favorite residents when I worked there. Don't ask me why but I have a soft spot in my heart for crotchety old men. They're a lot of fun. Even when you have to argue with them for trying to have a smoke with an oxygen tank strapped to their wheelchair. What's not to love? Most old men are just good times, both in real life and in print. 

Funny thing, in the audio book version I listened to old Jacob sounded perfect but young Jacob sounded a little dorky so I was a bit surprised to hear Robert Pattinson was playing him. It didn't seem to fit with the Jacob I had built up in my head but maybe I would have built a different picture of him had I read the book myself and not been influenced by the audio.

Because of the back and forth between young Jacob and old Jacob, the ending was not terribly surprising, though maybe it wasn't supposed to be. I still found it enjoyable to listen to it all unfold and I felt as though I truly got a nice feel for circus life in the twenties. I was especially touched by old Jacob going back home to join the circus at 90 (or 93). It was a great book, one I'm likely to pick up again for a re-read in the future.

I am totally looking forward to seeing the movie adaptation in April. As with any adaptation, I just hope they do it justice.