Water for Elephants --- Sara Gruen

Circus is something that has always fascinated one and all. There is something so intriguing and enthralling about all the performers and the animals. It is meant for the kids but one step into the circus tent, and everyone becomes a child. Wide eyes, fearful exclamations, laughs, delight and claps echo within the tent. When a love story takes place at such a premise, you can expect something unexpected. And that is what Water for elephants is about. It rests its foundation on circus. Set in early 1900s’ Depression Era, circus brought sheer joy in the otherwise glum period. Joy and a few more things.

The story starts as the 'old Jacob', narrating his story to a circus employee. The 90 year old had carried a secret for almost 7 decades and is finally revealing it. Fed up of the care centre he escapes the watchful eyes of the hospital staff and goes to the circus that was in town. His secret keeps the man totally mesmerized, who almost forgets to report to the care center.

Flashback to the past follows. Jacob is an aspiring vet who is just one exam away from becoming a licensed doctor. With the plans to join his father’s practice, he is ready to start his career. But after his family’s tragic accident and loss of his house, he sets out with no idea of where he’s going. A chance encounter with a train that crosses the tracks he was walking upon changed his entire life. The train was the circus, Benzini Brothers. After a rough start, he becomes a part of the circus and starts from the bottom rung in the circus ladder. Slowly he rises up the ladder when he starts working as a vet. He noticed stark contrasts in the way the ‘workers’ and the ‘performers’ lived and were treated. He experienced both the worlds and made friends in the entire troupe. But there were only two things he loved in the Circus family. The animals and Marlena.  He first experienced love in that chaos.  That love made him take extreme steps which he otherwise wouldn't have taken. How the story progresses between the love triangle and the animals is what is story is made up of.

The narrative is very simple which makes the entire novel easy to read. Sara did an extensive research on the topic, which is very evident throughout. The harsh reality of the circus, plight of the animals being used in them and the performers will make your heart wrench. This is one of those books that can read in one sitting. (I personally took just 3 hours to read it. Yes, I'm bragging :P ) Though it had a nice story, especially of the lovely bond that animals and humans share, I got disconnected at many instances. There was a lot of use of Polish dialogues. One who doesn’t know Polish will definitely get lost and there are chances of the reader getting bored beyond a point. The story is otherwise like any other love story, predictable and dramatic. The only thing that kept me going through the pages was the lovely connection animal-human connection that is portrayed. It was very endearing and something really fresh. If you are an animal lover, and get repelled by thick books but still want a good read, or you want something light and a simple, uncomplicated story to read over the weekend, this is your pick.

This novel sends across the message that love and friendship do not need a perfect setting like most people dream of. It can blossom at the most unexpected places, amongst different kind of people. The people who may seem weird and crazy can turn out to be the best of friends and silent stares can lead to a beautiful relationship. And though there are no words shared, the animals/pets can understand us so well and even they have their own unique ways to showing that they care. The bond between a pet and his master is beautiful and this book celebrates that relationship. Read it for the pet-master bond more than the protagonists' love story, because the latter is rather disappointing.

P.S: This is one of those books of whose movie I preferred over the book. At least watch the movie. I’m sure you’ll like it. Yes, there are some changes in the movie compared to the book, but it works. 

P.S. I Love You -- Cecelia Ahern

                                                

[NOTE: If you have seen the movie and not read the book, you have missed out something. The movie was horrible compared to the book and had a different story. The latter is way better. If you loved the movie, then you are in for a treat. If u hated the movie, there are all the more reasons to read this to see what you have missed. So read on.]

Alright all you guys. Don’t make the hasty decision of skipping this review just seeing the mushy title. This book could be title-less and even then it would make an AMAZING read. And ladies, please don't expect a super-mushy love story with a happily ever after story. Suckers for happy ending though, would not be disappointed by this book. Whatever the case, you would be enamoured by the warmth exuded by this captivating book.

P.S. I Love You is an unique, unusual and beautiful story of love, loss and letting go. Holly and Gerry met in school, fell in love and stayed in love forever, and forever in their case transcended life and death. Literally. They were a picture perfect couple whom everyone would envy (yea even the readers). They were nothing short of being soul mates. Gerry treated her like a princess and made sure nothing bothered her, but at the same time didn't leave any chance to pull her leg and irritate her. Holly used to hate it but loved him nevertheless. It all changed when Gerry's nagging (and much ignored) headache turned out to be brain tumour which slowly weakened him and eventually killed him. Holly, who always thought they would last for a lifetime, was left confused, angry, numb, devastated, helpless and alone in spite of having her huuuge family and a gang of best friends. Life wasn't the same without Gerry for her. She was sure that her life would stop now that Gerry's gone. And Gerry knew that Holly would stop living after his expected death. So, to help Holly come out of the grieving period he did the most loving and unexpected thing. Something who can never even think of doing. He left behind a series of letters (which was actually a joke they had once shared). Each letter had a 'task' which Holly had to do. They proved to be the gentle nudge and the baby steps that Holly had to take just to get out and start living a normal life again. The way those letters reached her and the way they slowly but steadily changed her life amazed one and all. Each letter will surely melt your heart. The delicate way with which each letter had been written with love, planned and executed will blow your mind and bring you down to tears. (Applicable for women. For sure). It just shows how well he knew her. He seemed to know every action that Holly would do after his death and knew that she wouldn't listen to anyone but him. Thus, this creative idea was conceived which beautifully served the very purpose that Gerry wished for.

Holly was not alone when she was left widowed prematurely. Her amazingly supportive and eccentric family kept her smiling, stuck by her when she cried. People will love Ciara and her little brother Declan. These two characters lighten up things but at the same time they are not just fun elements in the book. It has been showed in an unbiased manner that every single person in the family and her friends group had their own set of problems to deal with and that she wasn’t the only one dealing with a crisis. Every member learns something more about each other after Gerry's death and unknowingly teaches others something about life's uncertainties and complexities and beauty. A heart-warming part of the book to look out for. Next come her friends who advised, scolded, guided her and picked up when she fell. They did exactly what Gerry would have wanted them to do. They didn't shower her with pity or sympathy. They just made sure that she moved on and always looked out for her. I'm sure you'll find your best friends in Denise, Sharon and John. And there are moments where you choke up. I did when John tells Holly about what the relation he and Gerry shared meant to him and how he misses him a lot. (I cried for straight 5mins because I almost related it to my best friend and thought I never want to be in that place). And the final dash of spicy confusion is added when a man enters a picture who apparently falls in love with Holly. How Holly deals with him is like a crazy roller coaster ride. You’ll find your loved ones in all or some of the characters and learn some crucial lessons along with them. The most important lesson being that life, indeed goes on, whatever happens. You've got to catch up with it if you don’t want to be left behind.

Cecelia Ahern was only in her early 20s when she wrote this book. Many say she was too naive in her writing but I felt that, that very innocence added a special charm to the book. By the time I finished reading (3 times!!) I was wishing desperately for my own 'Gerry'. C'mon, any sane girl would want that!! It had wonderful moments of laughter, 'I-don't-want-that-to-happen-with-me' moments, when tears will roll down your cheeks without resistance, will leave a silly smile when some event reminds of a similar faint memory tucked somewhere in your head, those 'I-can't-live-with-my-family and can't-live-without-them' instances, some moments will engulf you with the excitement of a 3 year old, some will leave you with unbearable pangs of pain, moments of indefinable bliss, pinch of hope and scoops of comforting warmth. All in all, a perfect recipe to satisfy your insatiable bookish appetite. Holly and Gerry moments will leave you wanting for more. The delicate love portrayed is beyond belief. Stories where dying for your love is common and passé. Here is a story of what one can do for his love after his death. This book will touch your heart in a massive way and will make you want to fall in love. Once you read this book, Holly and Gerry will never leave your mind. And heart.