Elephants, big tops, traveling circus performers; not a book I would normally choose. After reading the book a few years ago, I just finished listening to the audio version for book club and I enjoyed it just as much the second time around. The author has written a beautiful, but sometimes harsh, story about living during the depression era through the eyes of a young man that has lost everything as he is getting ready to take his tests for veterinary medicine and go to work with his father's practice. The main character and narrator is Dr. Jacob Jankowski, and we fall in love with the cantankerous old fellow in the nursing home who can't decide what to have for lunch. We can't wait to hear his story about joining the circus, as a frightened young man, falling in love with the animal trainer's wife and then falling in love with Rosie, the elephant. The author does such a good job with the characters and describing the setting and the feelings you feel like you're sitting in the big top watching the show. There are some terribly cruel scenes but also some selfless acts of kindness shown by her characters. Great book, would highly recommend.
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