Reflections on 'Water for Elephants'

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

First of all I have to say that this novel is NOT for teens (due to some sexual content and language). Second of all, I am surprised I stuck it out and Thankful to Kristi and Rhoda who encouraged me to finish.

The setting is during the Depression- early 1930's in a circus traveling by train. It starts a little slow. I felt it picked up speed about half way thru ( no pun intended). Use a filter due to language. I personally am not used to that, but can see how it was common at the time and gives depth to the characters. I would have liked a little more 'emotion' from the main character. WHY he did, not just WHAT he did.

I actually expected more 'feeling' because the author is female- a bias - I realize...

The title doesn't give justice to the book. I can see how someone might pass it up based on its title alone.

I came away from this novel with a greater sense of appreciation and respect for the elderly! It's written in first person as a ninety something old man revisits his past. I related to the nurses caring for him in the nursing home. I tried to put myself in 'Rosemary's' shoes. The other aspect I could relate to was age, even though I'm fifty- five years younger than he. 'Jacob' mentions how he feels betrayed by his body, and more recently his mind. Well, I plucked my first grey hair this month!! Not just one, but two!! ( Yes- I know some of you don't have any sympathy for me!) I also see my body betraying my mind in the mirror- fine lines around my eyes and age spots appearing on my hands and cheeks...not to mention the uneven weight distribution from having six children.

OK - I'll move on...

The story is endearing and one of love, not just of man but animal as well. You come to love the animals as she brings alot of detail to their mannerisms. I was a little surprised by the ending, but not so much...you can almost guess what is going to happen. I found myself thinking ' Yes! Do it!!' When you read the book- you'll know what I mean...

I also came away with more knowledge of the Depression, the Circus, and Prohibition. For those of you who are homeschooling and use CM theory- this was a 'living' book. A 'real' book written by an author who is passionate and knowledgeable on the subject. However, as I mentioned before, not for children or teens. Speaking of children, I pictured three people in my head for the main character- Jacob. My nephew, because his name is Jacob. William, my son, for his hair is red, as is the character. And Rob Pattinson, for as some of you already know, he is playing Jacob and filming WFE as I write this blog. Which is the main reason why I wanted to read it in the first place. So when the movie came out I'd have something to compare it to. (Yes I'm Team Edward- Now you all know!)

I got alot more out of it than I bargained for and am glad I read something that is out of my comfort zone! I would give it 4 stars!

My 'Red Tent' Review

I don't want to give too much away here- so much that you don't feel the need to read it yourself. However I wish I had some background knowledge of the book before I read it. My hope is that you will be inspired to read it yourself- It would make a good summer read.
The author is Anita Diamant. Who I believe is Jewish and has written several books on 'being a good Jew' and other such topics related to Judaism. So she appears to have some knowledge of the Old Testament and those ancient cultures. The book however is a work of fiction with some historical 'truths' mixed in. These stories and truths that are in the OT make up the first parts of the novel. The second half is that of Dinah's life away from her family- the part we never hear about in the Bible. So she is able to speculate and weave a story.
I thought the book was about sexuality and intimate relationships in the Bible. And it is, but more specifically about the story of Jacob, Leah, Rachel, and Dinah. I had no idea what the 'red tent' was. I thought maybe it was where the husband and wife laid together. But alas, it is not! The red tent is where the women would go when they have their menses and give birth. Interesting, huh? According to this author the ladies would eat sweet cakes and sit over straw. For about 3 days they would do nothing but pamper each other in that red tent. Only nursing children were allowed in. Not all women would do this supposedly, but these Canaanite women that are in Leah and Rachel's lineage did. I think they had the right idea on that one, albeit not very practical.
I also found it interesting to hear how Jacob obtained his wives and more about who they were. All thru Dinah's point of view and her remembrances of the stories her 'mothers' told her.
Rachel was young, about 14 I think when Jacob came along and Leah a couple years older. In this novel Rachel is actually 'tricked' into essentially giving her bridal night and husband to Leah, out of fear of intimacy. Rachel realizes later that she was ignorant to the ways of man and wife and thus becomes his second and beloved wife. As was custom, each wife came with a dowry and those were Leah and Rachel's half sisters. Their handmaidens so to speak. Zilpah and Bilhah become his third and fourth wives. It's easy to see how Jacob could have 12 sons!!
I like how the author brought life to each of these wives and showed each of their personalities.
Midwifery has always been an interest of mine, I could see myself becoming a doula one day, when my womb is closed. Rachel and Dinah become great midwives in this novel and I enjoyed hearing birth stories in detail. I didn't however enjoy hearing about babies born with cleft palates or other defects, being left out in the wilderness to die.
I was surprised at the extensive mention of false Gods and idols. Jacob and Isaac are the only ones who seem to worship El (short for Elohim). All the women worship idols and every chapter is loaded with them. I could have done without all the repetitious mention of them. But I see she was just trying to show the religious reality of the times- as she thinks it could have been.
The other thing I could have done without was the implication that Joseph was a bisexual. Married to a woman, at least one, but traveled with an entourage of handsome young men that he had eyes for.
I learned that Dinah was in fact not raped as the way we know 'rape' to be today. She was actually in love with the Egyptian prince that made her his bride. I turned my Bible open to Genesis ch 34 "The defiling of Dinah" and reread her brief story there. The prince loved her too and sent Jacob a handsome bride price, which he sent back. Her two brothers Simeon and Levi were consumed with greed. That was their motive behind the murders. A tragic love story...
Reminding me of Romeo and Juliet.
I'm going to stop here as to not give away the ending.
But not without first saying, Dinah does eventually find happiness!
Which 'made' the book for me. I love a happy ending...

#4 Favorite food- Quinoa

I recently discovered this wholesome grain and wished I had years ago!! Similar to buckwheat, but you cook it like rice. The seeds and leaves on this plant are edible, but mostly what you see in he stores are the seeds. Spinach and beets are also in this plant family.
Quinoa has a nutty, earthy flavor to it. A richer flavor that you just can't get from brown rice. To cook it you first rinse the saponins off which give a bitter flavor (however I usually skip this step and don't notice the bitterness). Then cook like rice- 1c quinoa to 2c water. Boil, cover and simmer till done. Unlike rice, it is a complete protein. Truely a superfood!
I was buying it in the box, but went thru it too fast (as you can imagine with 7 people eating in this house). Then I found it at my natural foods store in bulk! LOVE IT!!
Click here for some great recipes! And here to learn how to cook quinoa (keen-wa).