Reading Response #2

Reading Response: Water for Elephants, part 2

I ended up being extremely pleased with this whole book. I read the rest of it in one day, it was so unlike myself, but I just couldn’t put it down. The book’s second half really kept me interested.

     When I wrote my previous response, I thought that Jacob and Rosie’s relationship was going to become a bigger part of the book. Instead there was barely enough bonding between them described, making it more special and not too much. The parts she is in, it is clear that Jacob and Marlena truly love Rosie, and she loves them back. Marlena is the one that causes all Jacob’s woman problems, and she is the one that performs with the animals. “Marlena stares at it, wide-eyed. The she crumples to the ground. Rosie fans her ears, opens her mouth, and steps sideways so she’s standing directly over the top of Marlena.”(p. 310) In the bunch of chaos that is going on in the book at this point, Rosie knows to protect Marlena. She is an incredibly smart animal, that takes care of the people she loves. It might have seemed like a small acted, but that act saved Marlena’s life.

 

Side thought:If you have seen the movie, you know the really big thing that Rosie does. I think you should know, it was far better reading it in the book. 

 

     I loved the ending just like I loved the beginning. It was a perfect ending to the book. Still one of my favorite things about this book is that it goes back and forth between present and past. It is always had a well connected transition between him being old and him being young. I enjoyed reading the parts in present time, even though there is less going on there are still some exciting parts. The book ends in present time, and this is just the start of Jacob’s last big adventure.

“I scootch to the edge of my seat and reach for my walker. By my estimation, I’m only eighteen feet from freedom. Well, there’s an entire city block to traverse after that, but if I hoof it I bet I can catch the last few acts. And the finale- it won’t make up for missing the Spec, but it’s something. A warm glow tingles through me and I snort back a giggle. I may be in my nineties, but who says I’m helpless?”(p.322)

Jacob Jankowski is just such a character in his old age. He has nothing to lose and is tired of being told he can’t do things on his own. The circus was the biggest part of his life, why should he miss it being in town just because he’s old.

 

Read the book. It’s great.

     The picture above displays the strongest relationships throughout the book. You see how Jacob loves Rosie and how Marlena loves Jacob because of his love for Rosie, or just the animals in general. These are the characters that matter the most. This picture is what it's all about, these three characters trying to just be together and happy.

Reading Response #1

Reading Response: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

“I am ninety. Or ninety-three. One or the other. When you're five, you know your age down to    the month. Even in your twenties you know how old you are. I'm twenty-three, you say, or maybe twenty-seven. But then in your thirties something starts to happen. Its a mere hiccup at first, an instant of hesitation. How old are you? Oh, I’m- you start off confidently, but then you stop. You were going to say thirty-three, but you're not. You're thirty-five. And then you're bothered, because you wonder if this is the beginning of the end. It is, of course, but it’s decades before you admit it. 
You start to forget words: they're on the tip of your tongue, but instead of eventually dislodging, they stay there. You go upstairs to fetch something, and by the time you get there you can’t remember what it was you were after. You call your children by the names of all your children and finally the dog before you get to his. Sometimes you forget what day it is. And finally you forget the year. 
Actually, it’s not so much that I’ve forgotten. It’s more like I’ve stopped keeping track. We’re past the millennium, that much I know- such a fuss and bother over nothing, all those young folks clucking with worry and buying canned food because somebody was too lazy to leave space for four digits instead of two- but that could have been last month or three years ago. And besides, what does it really matter? What’s the difference between three weeks or three years or even three decades of mushy peas, tapioca, and Depends undergarments?

I am ninety. Or ninety-three. One or the other.”(page 5)

          

I understand that this is a pretty decent size quote, it was just that it couldn't be broken up, I had to use it all. This is the first page of Chapter 1. I have never liked a beginning of a book as much as I like this one. I can't pen point exactly what it is, I just love it. It seems like such a strange topic to start with, but surprisingly it plays a dominate role in the novel. 

Jacob Jankowski is an elderly man in a nursing home, who has lived an exciting, unusual life. During Jacob's dreams you are taken back to when he was in his twenties, living life with the Benzini  Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth, a circus, during the prohibition. It is two parts of Jacob’s life being told in the same story, having chapters in the present and past. It amazes me how the author, Sara Gruen, is able to write for the character of Jacob, an old man with a strong desire to live a young live or is ready to die. There is definitely a darker, depressing side to this novel. It makes you really think about how much it sucks to get older. His opinion stops having the weight that it used to and he has no say in his life, because he is old, everyone else knows best. 



There is just so much to this book. In Jacobs younger life, as a vet for the circus, it becomes obvious that will be some romantic love connections, which is predictable, but I think the most inspiring relationship is between Jacob and the animals. Especially Rosie the elephant, who is the newest attention to the show. Everyone thinks she is a dumb animal that doesn't do anything but eat and go to the bathroom. Most think she is a waste of money and shouldn't have been boughten from the circus that left her behind, but I think Jacob has hope. I'm just getting to the start of their friendship but I can already tell that the bond they are going to have will be strong, just like some of the bonds he has with other animals.

“Come on, Bobo,” says Pete, reaching for the chimp.
The chimp’s hairy arms and legs tighten around me. 
“Come on now,” I say.
Nothing. 
“All right. One last hug and that’s it,” I say, pressing my face against his       dark fur.
The chimp flashes a toothy smile and kisses me on the cheek. (page 146)

There is no denying that the animals love Jacob, because Jacob has love for then animals. He shows gives them care in their very abusive conditions. He risks his life for the good of the animals and does everything he can for them. 

I'm pretty excited read what's going to happen next and to finish this book. 

101 Things About Me, Or Maybe Just 17

1. My name is Mary Books and yet I don't like to read books.

2. I have three brothers, two older and one younger, and I'm pretty close with all of them. My younger brother, Sam, is a freshman this year, and I would probably consider him one of my best friends.

3. I turned 19 this week, yes I know I'm old, but it's just one of the ways I'm different from your average Joe.

4. I did pole vaulting last year, and wasn't the greatest, but I hope to get better this year. I also joined cross country this year. I still kinda hate running, but I keep getting told I'm going to love it, and it has gotten better. So maybe there is hope.

5. My favorite thing to do in my free time is cook. I haven't had a lot of time lately and I really miss it. Something has got to change.

6. I also enjoy spending my days with Caroline, swimming at the pool and watching absolutely terrible movies on Netflix. We have skills and can find the worst made movies ever.

7. I have a pet bearded dragon, named Edwardo. He is about 4 years old and I love him so much. It might be strange that I love a big, scaly, lizard, but he's just so cute.
Oh and I have a pet goldfish, named Larry. Sydney bought me him from Wal-Mart, and he has managed to live for 10 months now, in a glass bowl with nothing but water. LARRY LIVES.

8. I don't have a favorite color because I don't like to pick favorites. I also don't have a favorite food, type of music, season, or holiday.

9. I like basically all music with the exception of country. I've just never liked it at all. It makes me want to pull my ears off.

10. I have lived in over 14 houses, in multiple states, all before the age of 12.

11. I cannot stand things that are unorganized, and yet I live in a room that is currently a disaster.

12. One of my least favorite things is being cold, I hate it so much. My muscles get all tight and there is no way to relax, I just can't stand it. All it makes me want to curl up and sleep.

13. I really really really hate living in Missouri. The weather is SO terrible. Summers are hot and humid while winters are cold and miserable. We don't even get enough snow for it to be fun, not that I would really play in it if we did.

14. My dad lives in New Mexico, and I haven't gotten to visit him yet but I think I might love it there. Dry heat for most of the year. That is the life for me.

15. I love to eat almost as much as I love to cook, and I can eat a lot. I really should probably weigh 100 pounds more than I do.

16. I have an extensive T-shirt collection of around 90 shirts, 14 of which are just plain white v-necks. What can I say, I just love T-shirts.

17. I've spent most of my life being extremely awkward. I'm still a little awkward, but I got a lot better last year, and think I'm still improving. Who knows I could be a whole new Mary one day.