How did uncle al die in water for elephants books

Marlena as said in the prologue or rosie as said at the end of the book. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Water for elephants is a moving tale about circus life during the depression era with quirky characters and complex emotions underlying the characters actions. I hate being so enamored with a book and then a crappy movie version comes along and tarnishes it. Stories similar to water for elephants books, stories, and novels like water for elephants by sara gruen. Uncle al is the cruel owner of the benzini brothers circus. Water for elephants is a historical novel by sara gruen, written as part of national novel writing month. Jun 02, 2006 rona brinlee of the bookmark in atlantic beach, fla. How and why did this particular story come to life. Rosie an elephant that uncle al buys from another circus. Water for elephants is one of my most favorite books.

With a showmans expert timing, gruen saves a terrific revelation for the final pages, transforming a glimpse of americana into an. Uncle al spends all the circus money on buying rosie, who at first doesnt seem worth it, and just tells his employees to deal with it. He has ringmaster written all over him, from the scarlet coat and white jodhpurs to the top hat and waxed curled moustache. Edith is a young girl who loses everything in victorian england, her mother to disease, her home to a greedy circus owner, and her best friend to jack the ripper. But jacob doesnt believe theres excuse for his behavior. What is the role of faithfulness and loyalty in water for elephants. Therefor water for elephants has a more metaphorical meaning that deals with jacobs decision to stay with the circus, providing water for elephants. The denver post so compelling, so detailed and vivid, that i couldnt bear to be torn away from it for a single minute. After the collapse of the benzini brothers circus and uncle al s having done a runner page 314, jacob realizes, not only am i unemployed and homeless, but i also have a pregnant woman. Uncle al eventually obtains a 51yearold bull elephant named rosie. Rona brinlee of the bookmark in atlantic beach, fla. To try and save money, al is known for redlighting people who work for the.

In the end, fantasy wins, and the reader, like the rube visiting a circus, gets what he wants. I meant what i said, and i said what i meantan elephants faithfulone hundred percent. Use these book club discussion questions on water for elephants to lead your book clubs conversation on the story. At numerous points in the book, people try to excuse augusts behavior by saying that hes a paranoid schizophrenic. If you like uncle elephant you should check out his other books including frog and toad and grasshopper on the road. He has ringmaster written all over him, from the scarlet. But, uncle al spent the rest of the benzini bros money on an elephant car, as well as rosie herself. Elephant trainers accused of abusing animal star of water. I didnt want to leave the pages that exposed the truth of jacob and marlenas affection or the cruelties of uncle al and august. Water for elephants book club discussion questions and answers. But august and uncle al, who just rolled up, dont want to believe the horse is in such bad shape.

Only days before graduating from vet school in 1931, young jake learns his parents have died and left him penniless. Marlena is revealed to have died a few years before jacob was put into a nursing home. I had completed the research for another novel and was a day away from starting to write when i opened the sunday paper and found myself. If he hadnt agreed to throw out so many circus folk like trash, he might not have died so soon himself. Please use this display as a guideline and modify as needed. In the beginning of the novel, jacob mocks another resident of the nursing home who claims to have worked in the circus and carried water for the elephants. The circus train only had a limited amount of water on board, and elephants can drink 100300 litres per day approximately 2680 gallons. It annoys me when characters are too evil and too good, as well. Water for elephants by sara gruen is a must read a story about a 90yearold man remembering his days with a circus during the great depression.

This is the discussion thread for water for elephants. So i purchased the book and slowly began retreating. Have you ever wondered if the story your reading have any hidden meaning to it. Books that perform well based on their reader engagement are published by inkitt in different formats and channels. Jan 16, 2008 followup on water for elephants, sara gruen water for elephants was a very riveting read that, one night, even kept me, the earlytobed person, up until 1 a. Sara gruen has said that the backbone of her novel parallels the biblical story of jacob, in the book of genesis. Did he commit suicide on his own or did someone killed him. Book club discussion on water for elephants sara gruen. With lines of startling beauty, haunting and evocative scenes and finelydrawn characters who dance off the page, readers can dip in and out of the novel, immersing themselves in jacobs memories. He is particularly angry with one old man who says he once got the water for elephants in the circus.

Our reading guide for water for elephants by sara gruen includes a book. Water for elephants is a book that can be read and reread, recommended and handed off between friends. Marlena is revealed to have died a few years before jacob was put into the. If you like uncle elephant you should check out his other books including frog and toad and grasshopper on. In one plot, jacob is a young guy just starting out in the world. Sara gruens water for elephants is one of those books, but richard lagraveneses screenplay does not suffer from the same overindulgence. Jacob was the only one who saw what truly happened to august. In fact, we see walter at his worst when queenie gets lost right before the circus train pulls away from a town. He does not see people and objects for anything other than how they can benefit him. How do the chapters about the older jacob enrich the story about jacobs adventure with the circus.

This underexplored slice of americana captured the publics fascination, driving the novel to the no. Water for elephants has two plots going on, both starring the same main character, jacob. Then came rosie, the abused circus elephant that stars in gruens third novel, water for elephants, about the benzini brothers most spectacular show on earth and set in the 1920s. Her works have been translated into fortythree languages and have sold more than ten million copies worldwide. Later in the book, it is suggested that he is a paranoid schizophrenic. The story is told as a series of memories by jacob jankowski, a 93yearold man who lives in a nursing home. The name of the character jacob is the first clue and its pretty obvious. He wants jacob to help him get marlena and august back together so that august will improve. When the owner of the circus, uncle al, learns of his training as a vet, he is hired to care for the circus. After the collapse of the benzini brothers circus and uncle als having done a runner page 314, jacob realizes, not only am i unemployed and homeless, but i also have a pregnant woman. Jul 23, 2018 water for elephants by sara gruen is a must read a story about a 90yearold man remembering his days with a circus during the great depression. Later in the book, it is explained that he is a paranoid schizophrenic.

When the owner of the circus, uncle al, learns of his training as a vet, he is. Uncle al tries blackmailing jake to force him to reunite marlena with august for the sake of the circus. When uncle al hears of another circus that has collapsed. Water for elephants is a historical novel by sara gruen, written as part of national novel writing. Water for elephants is mostly fantasy, punctuated with reality for the purpose of contrast. Walter completely loves his dog, queenie, as much as any other character loves anything in the book. Apr 22, 2011 sara gruens water for elephants is one of those books, but richard lagraveneses screenplay does not suffer from the same overindulgence. Without august, the benzini brothers circus is not nearly as good. In the book water for elephants by sara gruen, there are some slight biblical themes if you look closely.

I enjoyed gruens sharp and well selected, detailed descriptions of circus life, with a good dosage of circus lingo words i had never heard before, to add realism to the story. For interested readers rooting for a satisfying ending, water for elephants succeeds. The inspiration for the book was a chicago tribune article about edward j. Soon after, uncle al s body is found with a makeshift garrote around his neck. And uncle als not the only one with that ideaa handful of farmers hang around the edges of the lot, trailing lead ropes. Elephant trainers accused of abusing animal star of water for. A garrote is a rope or something used to strangle someone. When uncle al discovers that city officials have yet to itemize the fox brothers baggage stock, a handful of nondescript horses get spirited from one stable tent to another. Set in the 1930s, a former veterinary student takes a job in a travelling circus and falls in love with the ringmasters wife. Water for elephants a depressionera circus provides the backdrop for sara gruens latest novel, water for elephants. Mcguinity lying about carrying water for elephants. But the book locked me in and all i could do was turn the pages until i reached page 331 and the story was complete. Water for elephants is a historical novel by sara gruen. Recommending new books each month to spark lively conversation.

Water for elephants is the touching story of jacob jankowski. He enjoys the company of one nurse but it is her last day. Differences between water for elephants book vs movie page 1. Character profile for uncle al from water for elephants. Its uniquely told from the perspective of one character at two different stages of his life. Water for elephants book club discussion questions and.

Water for elephants, published in 2007, is sara gruens third novel. Books that are like this are called commerical books, while masterpieces such as, say, the hunchback of notre dame or crime and punishment are called literary books. Soon after, uncle als body is found with a makeshift garrote around his neck. Water for elephants was a very riveting read that, one night, even kept me, the earlytobed person, up until 1 a. What is rosies role in the events that follow her acquisition by uncle al. Uncle al needs the charisma that august brings to the show and is willing to do whatever he has to in order to maintain it. I read in the accompanying literature that water for elephants was the unintended consequence of research you were doing on another topic. He strides across the lot like the leader of a marching band, ample belly thrust forward and issuing orders in a booming voice 4. But be warned, this isnt the order of events in the book. Hes a wifebeater, an animal abuser, and a downright cruel individual. These citations may not conform precisely to your selected citation style. Water for elephants by sara gruen book club discussion. Jacob jankowski, a retired veterinarian living out his days in an assistedliving facility, drifts in and out of his memories. Although it is a level 2 i can read book, it also works well for story time with younger children.

Uncle al is up in arms because they need the horse for the show. Character profile for uncle al from water for elephants page 1. He is portrayed as a bit of a rebel, arguing with other residents, complaining about the food. Little did i know about the world of circus people, of the augusts, uncle als, blackies, and 350 lb. Sara gruen worked her magic in bringing all of that excitement back to mind. He is inconsolable and doesnt want to leave without her. When i first submerged my feet into frigid water, they hurt so badly i yanked them out again.

Ann guidry, critical essay on water for elephants, in literary news makers for students, gale, cengage learning, 2009. Ringling brothers is nicknamed big bertha, performers are kinkers and. August is furious with uncle al for purchasing rosie. With robert pattinson, reese witherspoon, christoph waltz, paul schneider. And you want to know what uncle al did when the hippo died. Sara gruens arresting new novel, water for elephants, explores. The book begins with a quote from horton hatches the egg by dr. Sara gruens awards include the 2007 book sense book of the year award, the. He uses his training to help and care for the animals.

Water for elephants is a best book club book for discussion, about the bond of love, trust, hope, and survival that grows between a circus trio during the depression. Sara gruen mines fertile territory in water for elephants. There is the flat rock, the dream, the animal husbandry for uncle laban, jacob and rachel marlena leave with uncle als uncle labans best livestock, jacob must do an additional seven years of animal husbandry in order to be with marlena, he breaks his hip, etc. May 10, 2011 elephant trainers accused of abusing animal star of water for elephants this article is more than 8 years old animal entertainment company says video purportedly showing elephants being beaten and. Water for elephants is a rich surprise, a delightful gem springing from a fascinating footnote to history that absolutely deserved to be mined. But, uncle al spent the rest of the benzini bros money on.

In the book, we see jacob as an old man in the nursing home throughout. In water for elephants, deception runs quite rampant, especially from uncle al, who would constantly swindle his own crew and performers. She is believed to be useless until it is discovered that she understands. He is a jerk and gets people thrown off the train red lighted. An interview with sara gruen interviewer luan gaines. Water for elephants is fun, sweet and thrilling and will pull you into the. He is obsessed with money and will do whatever it takes to get it. Star performer marlena, an equestrienne, adores her animals and is quick to notice jacob but circumspect in her actions. Elephant trainers accused of abusing animal star of water for elephants this article is more than 8 years old animal entertainment company. In water for elephants, the character jacob becomes the veterinarian in the circus. Curled up with a good bookan interview with sara gruen. I believe that of all animals, choosing an elephant as the title animal was appropriate given elephants are known for their good memories. It is a story of coming of age, of facing the realities of death, and living despite it all. Water for elephants book discussion questions water for elephants moves between a story about a circus and a story about an old man in a nursing home.

The truth is, it is summer and i am desperate for a distraction away from my recent obsession with greys anatomy reruns fueled by netflixs instant queue. Gruen did extensive research before writing water for elephants. Water for elephants is a story about an elderly man, jacob, who recalls an adventure in his younger years. Water a symbol of purification which is portrayed many times. On the first night after his leaving cornell, for example, jacob as did his biblical namesake lies back on the bank, resting my. Dec 11, 2011 uncle al and his sense of loyalty are for sale, as everything in his operation is able to be bought or sold. Later in the book, it is suggested that he is a paranoid schizophrenic, to explain his violence. Characters water for elephants wikipedia gradesaver. Mar 18, 2008 it came up as question 16 in the water for elephants reading group guide. I decided to not watch the movie when i heard it was coming out simply because i didnt want to possibly ruin the experience id had with the book if the movie wasnt uptopar. Tessa fontaines astonishing memoir of pushing past fear, the electric woman, follows the author on a lifeaffirming journey of loss and selfdiscovery through her time on the road with the last traveling american sideshow and her relationship with an adventurous, spirited mother. An elephant that uncle al buys from another circus. Jacob at 20 and again when he was 93 and living in a nursing home.

Another article in our series highlighting water for elephants. As a result of this incident, which occurred during a circus performance, the circus is shut down. Uncle al, benzini brothers circus ownerbydefault, is a ruthless businessman who cares only for his reputation, engaged in a quest for fame to rival the great ringling brothers. Water for elephants was adapted into a major motion picture starring reese witherspoon, rob pattinson, and.