Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

All I can say is wow. I can't stop thinking about this book-the characters, the settings, the plots. In a word-fantastic.

I picked it up on a whim from the library. Actually on my way out, I saw it and had to return to check it out. I had been struck by it before, while cruising for a new read, but the impulse struck. Even once I got it home, it sat on the shelf waiting to be picked up. When I finished the MHC book yesterday, I figured I was on a roll. And since the Lulu was sleeping and the book was due today, I'd test it out. I was hooked almost from the first page and read every spare minute I had yesterday-including until midnight last night. I managed to finish this morning and was really sad to see it end. I haven't felt like that about a book in ages. Simply ages.

It's a story of a young man who, in his final year of college, is suddenly orphaned. He experiences a breakdown and runs away to join the circus. Much of it is told in flashback style since the man is presented as 90-or 93 (he can't remember). Depression era circuses must have truly been a wonder to behold and completing this book makes me want to seek out more information about early circuses and freak shows. I can not do justice to this intricate piece of fiction through my own writing, and so I strongly urge you to pick up a copy. You won't be disappointed.