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.