Water for Elephants

Ever since I learned that Hollywood was making a film version...I was skeptical.  I will honestly say that I have not ever been a big Robert Pattinson fan.  Probably a side effect of the Twilight Saga.  That said, I still planned on going to the film.





Robert Pattinson and "Rosie"



I was first introduced to the book by a friend of mine a couple summers ago.  She told me that I needed to read Water for Elephants.  So, it went onto my "To Read" list, which was quite large to begin with.  I took my time to get to it, too. Finished the Sookie Stackhouse series, read about 2 books from my favorite author (Tamora Pierce), and was hired as a teacher.  To help pass the time from home to my new school, that lovely 2.5 hour drive made many times last summer, I would check out books from my library.  I listened to 3 books that summer:  Heart of Darkness, The Help, and Water for Elephants.  I did attempt to listen to The Girl who played with Fire, but I found I have to read those types of books.  I do have to return to the topic at hand...I fell in love with Water for Elephants.  The story just moved me.



Christoph Waltz and Reese Witherspoon





 As I listened to the story, I found myself finding reasons to go on longer trips just so that I could listen to the book.  I fell for the bumbling college kid who wanted to get his girl.  I hated August like a good reader was supposed to.  I laughed at the elephants antics and held my breath during the elephant routines.  I was completely absorbed into this book.  I even used a section of the book as a serious piece for the speech season.  It didn't go over well, but I will try to tweak it and make it better.

I have high hopes for the film version.  I am understandable about using Robert Pattinson, brings in the teen fans.  And he does have some acting chops.  No worries.  I have loved watching Reese Witherspoon's films all my life.  She is just one classy lady.  Honestly, I don't know much about Christoph Waltz and his work.  As soon as this film is out, I will be in the theater with my LARGE Dt. Coke and small buttered popcorn. 

Maybe I can persuade David to go with me...

Garden of Eden by Ernest Hemingway

When I picked up this audiobook at the Half-price bookstore, I had no idea what it was about.  I only knew that it was written by Ernest Hemingway.  So, I was completely prepared for the content I would be listening to as I drive distances longer than 5 minutes.   This is NOT a book I would teach in class.  It is very interesting.  The situation is fascinating: a young American writer and his erratically tempered wife living in Europe so that the writer, David, can write his next big novel.  This book is set in different countries in Europe in the first third of the 20th Century.  I imagine that is it set in the 1920s, but I cannot be sure.  This book examines relationships and human interactions.  Some of the situations really makes me think.

Jack Hutson and Mena Suvari as American newlyweds.

Though the content is not meant for young readers, I do encourage older readers, those that want to challenge their reading levels, to pick this book up and read it.  It makes the reader uncomfortable at times, but it also shows how people can change and how humanity deals with different stressers.   I am not finished with the audiobook, I'm on my last cd, but I am curious to how it ends.  And like a good teacher, I plan to watch the 2008 film adaptation of the novel.



Ernest Hemingway



Background:  Hemingway worked on this novel from the mid 1940s until his death.  There were many chapters and a subplot that was cut out by an editor.  I'm not sure if these cuts were needed, but I would be interested to find that subplot. 

Some links I have found to relate to the novel:
Hemingway's Bio
Hemingway's Works
Movie Info