This summer I read "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen and it is one of the best books I have ever read. In my opinion, "Water for Elephants" is a perfect example of excellent storytelling.
Passage from "Water for Elephants":
"'It was the same as with you and the horses," I said quickly, rushing to explain myself. 'I don't like the look of their bull man and I couldn't let him take her - God only knows where she'd end up. I love that bull. I couldn't let her go. So I pretended she belonged to me. And now I guess she does.'
Marlena stares at me for a long time. Then - to my enormous relief - she nods, saying, 'You did right. I love her, too. She deserves better than what she's had. But it does mean we're in a pickle.' She looks out the window, her eyes narrowed in thought. 'We've got to get on another show,' she says finally. 'That's all that there is to it.'
I choose this excerpt because it really shows the dynamic of the whole story. A central theme of love for animals, and in particular an elephant named Rosie, is depicted and the characters are having to find a way to survive - not only for themselves, but for the animals. Sara Gruen found a way to add a surprise at every turn, which is what I think makes a book interesting. Also, she naturally portrays the relationships between characters and the thoughts and feelings of individual characters. To me, what makes a book a great book is not having to try to relate to the characters, but slipping into their world like it is happening right in front of you.
Sierra--I liked this story so much I still haven't seen the movie. I'm afraid they wouldn't do it right. But the relationship between the narrator and Marlena (and Rosie) had several great moments in it. Thanks for a good first entry.
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