The Novel of False Advertising...

Why is this novel called Water for Elephants? #1 Emphasis on the plural: there's only ONE elephant... #2 The story isn't really about Her. #3 Said elephant seems to enjoy OTHER beverages as opposed to water! If I were to re-title this novel, it would be The Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show On Earth just to get a chuckle from the reader. Elephants? You teased me!

I had gone back and forth about reading this novel for some time. I'm sensitive about animal cruelty and was afraid I couldn't stomach it. I felt Gruen tastefully handled bits of that, but it is heartbreaking nonetheless. I caved and went for this story just because it was available at the library AND in audio book format, which I was in need of at the time. 

Not to come off as a last resort grab, this story is most certainly entertaining. But I probably wouldn't have picked this book up without the allure of the elephant(s). Yeah, seriously! The story is essentially backstage pass to the world's shittiesttraveling circus! Well written, but I could have done without the bits of Jacob in his 90's. There's a great story without; mid-way through, those portions just felt like filler. 3/5 Stars.

The Curfew

Be prepared for the most elaborate puppet show of your life, The Curfew by Jesse Ball has broken into my top 5 favorite novels of all time. I plan to seek out more of Ball's writing as soon as I can clear a few other books from my queue. This is a very quick read. Without the significant page and line breaks, and unusual dialog structure, I wouldn't be surprised if this story slimmed down to a novella. Not that this makes any difference to it's power; just felt the need to encourage those looking for an amazing quickie read.

The prose is poetic. There's just something about the daddy-daughter relationship that is so striking. Their communication is endearing. I had the need to squeal at the note Molly left for her father: "I am an elephant today. I will need to have lots of room and also a bowl of water on the floor" (37, Ball). **SQUEAL!** Not only because of the elephant reference (if you knew me, you'd understand my delight,) but the metaphorical imprint it leaves in me. It's a weight everyone feels sometimes: please leave me my space, but don't ignore me.

The Curfew isn't about any specific town at at, but that just makes this novel an excellent companion to any historical fiction (or nonfiction) referencing the act. I would recommend this to any social science and history classroom dabbling into the subject. It's something I can only vaguely recall discussing during high school assignments regarding The Holocaust. Really, anyone and everyone: go for this novel. Moving and lovely all rolled into one. 5/5 Stars.

Psst... Your family is WEIRD!

I nearly forgot to write about The Family Fang... finished over a week ago. That just about sums up what I took from the novel. I don't think there's really anything more I can add, other than what I wrote on my Goodreads review:

Starting out similarly to The Royal Tennenbaums, The Family Fang is a quirky read. I enjoyed it very much, but it was one of those books that takes a few chapters to really get into. I enjoyed the sense of humor, but I'm only rating this a 3/5 because I didn't much care for the ending and I can't help but feel like something is missing. I do, however, wish I could get my hands on one of those tiny paintings!

We SAW, We READ...

We CRITIQUE!

Point-blank, I probably would have rated The Hunger Games a bit lower had I not seen the movie first. I know: SHOCKER! I knew from the start I wouldn't be able to approach the book with FRESH eyes and an unbiased opinion because my visual to textual sensors had been compromised. It was actually the film which inspired the read in the first place, otherwise I doubt I would have ever picked it up. From that note, I rated the first book of the series a 4/5 due to emotional impact, quality of writing, the "gripping-ness" of the plot (sorry - short for words this evening.)

My emotional/feminine reaction to the ending of the book verses the movie was dramatically different. I have a different lean towards certain characters in the book. I also a better understanding of Katniss, with-whom I am quite sure I would have hated if it weren't for seeing the film first. She has a poor outlook on life in general, which I can't blame her for, but still negativity is a downer for me. Her attitude towards her mother reminds me very much of **whispers** one Bella Swan, from another un-mentionable series. These teen writers seem to have some bitter relationships with their mothers or something... yikes!

I like the plot and pace of the story very much. With the exception of that final killing, the author did a nice job of keeping the graphicness to a minimum, which I appreciate. I do have "Gore & Tension Rules" which I understand is kind of odd coming from someone with a morbid sense of humor. The Hunger Games was actually quite sensible and "clean" or rather "lacking in overly-embellished yuckies", which is surprising considering the books about teenagers killing one another. So "kudos" Suzanne Collins. I can hardly wait to start in on Catching Fire.

Mirror Mirror (film)

I'm glad Mirror Mirror (the film) wasn't a take-off on the Gregory Maguire novel. That was a disappointing, dull and slightly painful read. The FILM however, is very cute! CUTE and FUNNY, but not much more. I was a little nervous pre-viewing the film just because I was so distracted by Lily Collins' eyebrows. I know it is an odd thing to hone in on, but my mother and sister made the same comments, so I'm sure I wasn't the only gal out there thinking the same thing! Bet it would have done better in the box office if they considered trimming Snow White's brow a little thinner....

Though I was amused, I didn't feel thoroughly amused. Set up for a strong adorable family film, I would recommend this to families viewing with their young "princesses". Giving this film 3/5 stars because it's sweet, but once seen, I don't foresee myself desiring to re-see it again. I thought I would, but don't think this will be under consideration for one of those "guilty pleasure" movies.

The Hunger Games (Movie)

Yes, I have to distinguish whether I'm reading the book or watching the movie. Normally I'd like to read the story first, but The Hunger Games kinda crept up on me and I was in the middle of a bunch of other stories so that'll have to come later. I'm sure I wont be disappointed and hey, at least I can read the next two installments before the films hit the theaters!

Nowhere as gruesome as I thought it would be, I was really excited to see this film... in fact can hardly wait to see it again! 5/5 Stars.