Review of Water for Elephants (2011) by James K — 14 Aug 2012

This is an amazing tale well told in a multi-dimentional way. The intertwining relationships of a circus boss, his wife (also the "star attraction"), an elephant named Rosie (the new "star attraction") and a Cornell drop-out were thoroughly developed and chronicled through thoughtfully scripted scenes depicting despair, struggle, hopelessness, joy, hurt, hope, celebration, and comradeship.

Eventually the boy meant to carry water for the elephant ran away with the boss' woman and in a motel bed they had sex, a softcore act which everyone thesedays seems to come to expect to see in a movie in this genre of romantic comedy. I think it's an uttermost waste of time and pace. And then the anger, confusion, revenge and despair completed a full cycle before the climax and the ensueing happy ending. The lingering sense of bliss was very satisfying.

Certainly it's not the destination but the journey that makes life worthwhile and the train that people hop on and then get thrown off runs on and on and waits for no one. Memory will keep on also, as elephants never forget! Those circus acts were refreshing!