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Note: In keeping with the circus book theme, Lauren Gibaldi offers her review of “Water for Elephants”

By Lauren Gibaldi

Set in both present time and the 1920’s, “Water for Elephants“ tells the tale of young Jacob Jankowski’s circus days: how he stumbled upon the spectacle, how he made himself useful, and how he found true love. After leaving Cornell, Jacob became the show’s veterinarian, watching over the lions, chimps, horses, and, of course, elephant. There, he meets a dazzling array of characters including Marlena, the lovely horse tamer and elephant rider that Jacob falls for. Told through flashbacks, you see how the circus life with the Benzini Brothers Circus affected him and what became of him after his years under the big top.

Accompanied by archived photos, the book accurately portrays the life of a traveling circus member, riding the train daily going from city to city, hoping the town is looking for an afternoon of entertainment. Told with rich imagery and climactic moments, Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants is an excellent and highly addictive book.

Even those who have no interest or knowledge of the circus lifestyle will get something out of the book because at one time we’ve all seen the show. We’ve all seen the clowns, the elephants, and the acrobats. We’ve all eaten the pop orn and cotton candy sold from the striped tents. And, really, at some point, we’ve all wanted to run away and join the circus.

Note: The BookChick is pleased to welcome Lauren Gibaldi to its stable of book recommenders

By Lauren Gibaldi

(Being an ex-circus performer, I thought it was only smart to review two of my favorite circus books. This is the first one.)

“The Circus in Winter” tells the story of the Great Porter Circus from its purchase in 1884 to its closure in 1939 through various voices starting with that of Wallace Porter himself. Every year the circus traveled the country and settled in Lima, Indiana during the winter months. After the initial chapter that sets up the theme, each subsequent chapter follows the story of a different person who was either a performer, relative of a performer, or local resident affected by the circus. A basic plot is intertwined through each person’s tale.

Combining fact with fiction, Cathy Day tells the story of a struggling railroad circus, and the magic it brought its performers - both good and bad. Through old clippings and intense research, she created a real life for each fictional character.

Overall, “The Circus in Winter” is a fantastic circus and historical book, which provides plenty of details about the place, the performers and the acts. Those who have a background in circus arts will love it, whilerubes (non-circus folks) will find the tangled story and brilliant descriptions engrossing. It’s neat to remember a time when the circus was the main attraction for a city. When people gathered from all around to watch the performers hang upside down or lions jump through hoops. There’s a certain amount of nostalgia that goes with it - sawdust and all.