I finally finished “Water For Elephants.” Wow. I loved the book. I know there were people here who didn’t get into it, but I was mesmerized right from the beginning and my interest only grew. And the ending didn’t disappoint in the slightest. How Sara Gruen was able to write so convincingly about Depression-era circus life, having never even been to a circus before embarking on this book, amazes me. But her storytelling – and her ability to get inside the head of her male protagonist – trumped the research. Very impressive novel.
When I asked for recommendations for what I should read next, it was my sister who suggested Robert Goolrick’s “A Reliable Wife.” (I downloaded Tina Fey’s “Bossypants” too, but I was in the mood to start another novel.) So far, I’m hooked. I think I’m halfway through the book and I only started reading it this morning. Goolrick’s writing is overwrought in spots (do we really need to hear how desperate the main character is for sex – like 1,000 times in one chapter?), but the plot is fascinating and I can’t wait to see where it leads. Has anybody else read this one?
