I can't remember exactly where I got the recommendation for this book by Sara Gruen, but someone somewhere told me someday I should read it. (ha ha, Mom.)
So I did, and I have to say it was very....interesting. I thought the author, who I can only assume is NOT an old man, did a great job writing from the perspective of an old man. That part was pretty amazing to me, but then again...I'm not an old man either, so I can't truly say it was authentic. =)
The old man is in a nursing home, and he's looking back on his life as a young man in the 1920s and the time he jumped a train and joined the circus. Some of the experiences he has are downright bizarre, and there is definitely some terrible violence and such. It was shocking to me how easily some of the violence was just accepted, and how life just moved on with barely a blip after such shocking things happened, but then again, the story was told from over 60 years' remove, so I can understand why those were not dwelt upon.
Anyway. It was entertaining and unusual. Not what I expected, but not bad.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Water for Elephants
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2 comments:
It's interesting to hear your take. This is a book I was loaned and started and didn't get past the first couple chapters before I felt obligated to give it back already. So I was wondering if I should check it out and give it another try. It seemed kind of random to me. Does that end up being a good thing?
It was definitely "kind of random." But whether or not it's good, I dunno. It wasn't my favorite read. I was too easily bored with the whole story and/or turned off by the casual violence and such. But I have a friend who really loved it. And like I said, I was impressed by the writing. Your call. Sorry to not be more opinionated! =)
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